Progress in seismic risk assessment of the Santo Domingo canton, Heredia

Abstract

This is a study on seismic risk assessment for the Santo Domingo de Heredia canton, based on existing knowledge about the hazard and exposure of the residential sector. The study was carried out because it is known that the studied area has been affected by earthquakes in the past and because both the local government and the community should be aware about this and all the other natural hazards in their territory. Knowing the level of hazard and exposure, local actors can manage risk effectively and improve the safety, protection and resilience of the inhabitants. The work required bibliographic research, interviews and analysis of housing condition datasets. Earthquakes can generate Peak Ground Accelerations (PGA) up to 0.52-0.6g (g = acceleration of gravity) and Peak Effective Accelerations (PEA) up to 0.3-0.6g in the studied area. The maximum intensity of the last earthquakes in the Santo Domingo canton was VI.