SGER: Deep Shear Wave Velocity Measurements in the Las Vegas Basin

University Of Nevada Las Vegas, Las Vegas NV

Investigators

Abstract

This study will utilize the NEES "Liquidator" seismic vibrator in Las Vegas, as it is transported back to its home base in Austin from a project at Yucca Mountain, which is about 100 miles from Las Vegas. It will be used in a surface wave testing study to complement an existing project to characterize seismic response of the Valley. The equipment will be used to fill a vital data gap between shallow depths that are accessible with existing UNLV test equipment, and great depths that have been imaged through seismic refraction/reflection using explosive testing and group-wave velocity measurements from teleseisms. The overall purpose of the data collection is to map shear wave velocities (VS) to support earthquake site response analyses. The work will complement a multidisciplinary research effort by a woman-dominated team of faculty and students. It will also help the team to build expertise with its own, newly acquired "minivib" seismic source.