Seismic Response Analysis along the Coastal Area of Bengkulu during the September 2007 Earthquake

A strong earthquake of 8.4 M w occurred at the Sumatra Subduction Zone in Septemb er 12, 2007. The area that underwent the impact of the earthquake was located long the coastal area of the Bengkulu Province. A seismic ground response study was then performed with reference to the event. Several site investigations, including standard penetration test and shear wave velocity tests, wer e conducted to understand the subsoil condition. Th e data were used to analyze a ground response during the earthquake. Th amplification factor of each site was obtained , and a comparison of the spectral accelerations was perfor med. The results showed that the study area could u ndergo an amplification factor ranging from 1.1 to 1.5 during the seismic wave propagation. The spectral acceler ation that resulted from the seismic response analysis was also within the design value. The study results could generally bring awareness to local engineers to consider the seismic design v alue for the coastal area of the Bengkulu Province, particularly if a stronger earthquake happens in the future.