catalogo de terremotos para america del sur catalog of earthquakes ...

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compiled, is to more clearly define the severity and distribution of seismic
hazard and risk (loss potential) in South America. The hypocenter and
intensity catalogs prepared contribute in a fundamental way to the improvement
of the understanding of the nature of the earthquake problem in South
America. The catalogs, together with the neotectonic map of South America
also prepared under Project Sisra, comprise the fundamental data for more
advanced investigation of seismic hazard and risk, such as probabilistic
descriptions of ground motion and expected losses. It is quite clear that the
catalogs are absolutely essential to further progress in seismic hazard and
risk evaluation.
It is very important that the catalogs be revised and updated
periodically. Errors in a work of this scope are inevitable and need to be
corrected. Since the catalogs, in any event, should be updated at intervals
to include more recent seismological data, ample opportunity exists to correct
errors. A reasonable time interval for correction and updating of the
catalogs might be 5 years. Review and updating of the catalogs should be a
high priority of CERESIS.
The catalog of intensity data presented here doubtlessly can be much
improved by further research on historical earthquakes. This initial
intensity catalog does, however, provide a useful framework and format for
improving the data base of intensity data in South America. The catalog of
intensity data is particularly important as basic input to the estimation of
seismic wave attenuation and the delineation of areas of anomalously high
ground response. The intensity data should also be invaluable in estimating
future earthquake economic losses.
The development of the catalogs presented here in nine volumes is an
important improvement in the information available for a wide range of