Abstract

Synthetic strong motion records for the 1991, Mw 7.6, Limón, Cosa Rica earthquake were computed for several hundred different source models. The rotd50 (response spectra) was used to compare synthetic and observed data at seven stations that recorded the event. The source model that minimized the misfit was selected to calculate new synthetic records at present-day stations. The result indicated that the fault length reached some 100 km long by 40 km deep. The largest peak ground acceleration would have been recorded in the stations located along the Caribbean coast, close to the epicenter. A post-earthquake bridge inspection calculation using our scenario earthquake predicted a high level of damage to several bridges that collapsed in 1991.