GEOTECHNICAL ASPECTS OF QESHM EARTHQUAKE

Regional geotechnical aspect of the Qeshm earthquake of November 27, 2005 and their effect on earthquake damages are described putting emphasis on the rock-falls and the effects of the surface geology on ground motion. Many small to medium size rock-falls, occurred during this earthquake, were mapped based on field surveys. Further studies show that many slope of the region are susceptible to rock-falls due their special geological and geomorphological setting and can be vastly triggered in case of a stronger earthquake in future. The variation of ground motion, investigated based on a temporary seismological network, installed after earthquake, show that the most of the localities severely damages during Earthquake coincide with the local existence of loose sandy-silty soils specially in the Tomban and Gavarzin villages.