Path and Site Effects on Localized Damage Caused by the 1994 Northridge Earthquake

This study utilizes the 98-station Northridge Earthquake Aftershock Recording data set to investigate site effects and the effects of underground structure in order to understand the causes of the enhanced damage in Sherman Oaks and mid-Santa Monica caused by the January 17, 1994 Northridge earthquake. The conclusion is that the traditional method for seismic zonation, which is based on surface geology, is inadequate to describe fully areas affected by strong path effects. Focusing-defocusing is the most important path effect.