Memphis Earthquake Hazard Mapping Project
Memphis has a dense urban population near faults capable of producing major earthquakes. A high probability of a moderate earthquake in the near future (e.g., a 25-40% probability of a magnitude 6.0 or greater in the next 50 years), and relatively low regional attenuation (in other words, seismic waves do damage over a greater area in this region than for the same magnitude earthquake in the west). Memphis lies within the New Madrid seismic zone, which is the most seismically active and well-studied region in the Central and Eastern U.S. Products Technical documentation (PDF download) explains how the ground shaking hazard maps were made, with details and terminology meant for readers with engineering and/or scientific expertise. Non-technical documentation explains how the ground shaking hazard maps were made, in plain English and without lots of the nitty-gritty details and technical jargon. Maps and technical and non-technical documentation about new liquefaction potential maps for Memphis are available online. Deterministic (scenario) ground shaking maps Deterministic ground motion maps show different types of motions for a single specific hypothetical earthquake (scenario or magnitude and location). View these online or download graphic or grid files. Posters now available!
Probabilistic ground shaking maps Probabilistic ground motion maps show different types of motions for various probability levels. View these online or download graphic or grid files. Posters now available!
Databases The Shelby County Subsurface database contains information about geological, geotechnical, and hydrological subsurface properties. It is maintained by the Ground Water Institute at the University of Memphis. New shear-wave velocity profiles measured throughout Shelby County may be downloaded.
Liquefaction Potential maps
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