Global Ground Motion Prediction Equations Program

Building on the most recent advances in the field, the Global Ground Motion Prediction Equations Program has gathered a distinguished international team of experts to use a unified, transparent and collaborative approach to select a harmonized suite of ground motion prediction equations (GMPE) that can be used at the global and regional levels.

Based on a systematic and consistent set of evaluation criteria, existing GMPEs for each major tectonic environment will be screened and selected by the research team. The selected GMPEs will provide a consistent platform for the ground motion component of the GEM hazard model(s).

This two-year multi-disciplinary and multi-institutional program will build on PEER’s expertise gained during the NGA West, NGA-West2 and NGA East programs, as well as on ongoing regional programs promoted by GEM, such as SHARE, EMME and EMCA.

What are GMPEs?

Ground Motion Prediction Equations (GMPEs), or “attenuation” relationships, provide a means of predicting the level of ground shaking and its associated uncertainty at any given site or location, based on an earthquake magnitude, source-to-site distance, local soil conditions, fault mechanism, etc. GMPEs are efficiently used to estimate ground motions for use in both deterministic and probabilistic seismic hazard analyses.

The results of such hazard analyses are used for a wide range of applications such as: (1) site-specific seismic analysis and design of structures and facilities; (2) development of regional seismic hazard maps for use in building codes, financial estimation, etc.; and (3) social and financial loss estimation. Today, the most common Intensity Measures (IMs) used in GMPEs are peak ground motion values (e.g., peak ground acceleration, PGA; and peak ground velocity, PGV), and elastic response for various spectral ordinates.

Related Sites