APPLICATION OF THE ESI SCALE: : CASE STUDY OF THE FEBRUARY 4, 1976 GUATEMALA EARTHQUAKE

Application of the ESI Scale: Case study of the February 4, 1976 Guatemala earthquake): The ESI 2007 scale is applied to February 4,1976 disastrous earthquakes, which occurred in Guatemala along the boundary between the North American and Caribbean plates. For this earthquake, the available seismic, geological and macroseismic data have been reviewed and integrated through an updated interpretation of the original scientific papers written immediately after the event. A large number of ground seismic effects were catalogued including primary effects (surface faults) and secondary effects such as hydrological changes and tsunami, liquefaction features, ground cracks, ground settlements and landslides. The cataloguing and analysis of the seismically induced environmental effects has provided (a) a more detailed picture of the macroseismic fields, (b) I0 estimates based on ESI 2007 scale (c) useful data for seismic zonation. These results have confirmed once more the essential role of ESI 2007 Scale in the process of seismic hazard assessment and risk reduction.