Comments regarding the definition of a seismic event in Bogotá – Colombia

Abstract

The methodologies to determine Earthquake Design Spectra have been established and disseminated several decades ago. The procedure is relatively easy; however this task becomes difficult because of the lack of data. The city of Bogotá is located in a zone with a significant seismic hazard, including the presence of several seismogenetic sources. In spite of this fact, there are not digital records of strong ground motions. Then it is necessary to use records from all over the world. This article shows first, a Probabilistic Seismic Hazard Assessment for Bogotá in 2005; then, the criteria to select seismic records, which include frequency content, focal mechanisms among others. Finally a proposal of a Design Spectra for Bogotá is discussed