Estimation of Horizontal Response Spectra and Peak Acceleration of Major Cities in Jordan

This was conducted to determine the maximum peak ground acceleration (PGA) and horizontal response spectra (HRS) for the major 18 cities in Jordan using both local and international derived equations that take into consideration the site conditions represented by shear velocity. For each considered city, the maximum nearest earthquake magnitude is determined and then the maximum PGA and HRS were determined using the selected attenuation equations.From this study, it’s concluded that the earthquake magnitude is the major factor determine the dominant period that gives the highest HRS value. For the cities destructed by earthquake with magnitude 7.5 the dominant period is ranged between 0.3 to 0.5 sec. For those shuttled by 6.5 earthquake magnitude the period was ranged between 0.2 to 0.3 sec only.The maximum PGA and response spectra values are for the cities located in the Jordan Valley and Dead Sea area (such as Safi and Deir Allaa). Since they are located near the Jordan-Dead Sea Transform fault system. On the other hand, the lower values are for those cities located far away from the Transform,i.e. eastern and northeastern part of Jordan as for Al-Ruweished.