Reyes Canales, M., Galloway, E.J., Pawley, S.M., Yusifbayov, J.A. and Hartman, G.M.D. (2024): Earthquake iso-nuisance and iso-damage mapping for Alberta: preliminary results; Alberta Energy Regulator / Alberta Geological Survey, AER/AGS Open File Report 2023-04, 11 p.
Preliminary earthquake iso-nuisance and iso-damage maps for Alberta have been generated using three
levels of nuisance and damage: (1) 50% probability of causing nuisance to 30 000 households and
damage to 3 households; (2) 50% probability of causing nuisance to 20 000 households and damage to 2
households; (3) 50% probability to cause nuisance to 10 000 households and damage to 1 household.
These maps show the earthquake magnitudes necessary at any given location in Alberta to achieve a
particular threshold of nuisance and damage, considering human exposure factors and surficial geological
conditions. For the human exposure factor, we depended on population distribution; for the surficial
geological conditions, we utilized site amplification effects derived from estimates of the time-averaged
shear-wave velocity to a depth of 30 m (Vs30) from surficial geological modelling. Earthquake isonuisance
and iso-damage maps can provide valuable assistance in effectively managing current and future
cases of induced seismicity in Alberta. They provide an overview of the impact of a wide range of
earthquake scenarios and can function as the base to guide the development of red-light maps for different
types of industrial activities once the appropriate trailing seismicity factor is defined for a given activity.