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Effect of Soil and Rock Types

Effect of Soil and Rock Types

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Bedrock

Studies have shown that the two most important geologic characteristics that affect levels of ground shaking during an earthquake are:

  • The softness of the ground at a site, and
  • The total thickness of sediments above hard bedrock.

The softer and thicker the soil, the greater the shaking or amplification of waves produced by an earthquake.

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