Earthquake-Induced Flooding

DOE-STD-1022-94

soil to computed factors for Eastern North American (ENA) can be found in Guidelines for Determining

Design Basis Ground Motion (EPRI, 1993).

There are considerable ground motion data from subduction zone earthquakes, and attenuation relationships

specific to subduction zone environments have been developed from this data base (Crouse, 1991; Youngs,

et al.,1988; Langston, 1981: Youngs, et. al., 1997). The relationships can also be developed from a

combination of empirical data and data simulated with theoretical/numerical models (Wong et al.,1993;

Eaton and Herzl, 1989; Ihnen and Hadley, 1986, Atksinson and Boore, 1997). In general, attenuation

relationships for ground motions from subduction zone earthquakes are less constrained by data and more

uncertain than for shallow crustal earthquakes in the WUS. Because there is a great deal of scatter in the

data, the variability should be quantified in the estimate of vibratory ground motion at the site.

5.4.3 Earthquake-Induced Flooding

Earthquake-induced flooding at a site can be caused by a variety of phenomena including seiches, tsunamis,

failures of dams and levees, land sliding within or into bodies of water, and tectonic uplift or subsidence.

Criteria of site characterization for these hazards are specified in Section 5.3.

The investigation of a potential earthquake-induced flooding hazard involves assessing either or both of (1)

whether there is any exposure of a facility to a flooding hazard (e.g., whether a facility is located adjacent

to a body of water, located downstream of a dam, etc.,) and (2) whether there is a significant likelihood of

the hazard occurring to a degree sufficient to cause flooding of the facility site (e.g., whether there is

significant risk of a tsunami wave high enough to cause flooding, significant risk of a dam failure, etc.,). The

assessment of earthquake-induced flooding hazards may require involvement of disciplinary expertise other

than geology and seismology, such as coastal engineering in the case of tsunami phenomena and geotechnical

and structural engineering in the case of potential for dam failure.

5.4.4 Other Geologic Hazards

Other geologic hazards that should be the subject of appropriate geological investigations include volcanic

hazards and non-tectonic surface deformation.

5.4.4.1 Volcanic hazards

Recent volcanic activity is restricted to limited areas of the Western United States. In most places, volcanism

does not pose a significant hazard. In regions where recent volcanic activity (Quaternary) has occurred, the

likelihood of renewed volcanic activity and the associated potential hazards shall be assessed. Potential

volcanic hazards may include: lava flows, ballistic projections, tephra (ash) falls, pyroclastic flows and debris

avalanches, lahars and flooding, seismic activity, ground deformation, tsunami, atmospheric effects, and acid

rains and gases. Discussions on assessment of volcanic hazards are given by Hoblitt et al. (1987), Tilling

(1989), and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (1990). The DOE Standard for volcanic hazard

assessment is not yet available. For those few sites need volcanic hazard assessment, their approach used

to assess volcanic hazards should be approved by DOE.