Characteristics of near-source ground motions from the 2012 Varzaghan–Ahar double earthquakes, Northwest of Iran

Wavelet-based analyses were used in this study to interpret the near-source ground-motion characteristics of records obtained during the 2012 Varzaghan–Ahar double earthquakes in the East-Azerbaijan province of Iran. For this purpose, the large pulse of ground motions was extracted by applying continuous wavelet transforms, and then, the residual motions were achieved by subtraction of extracted pulse from the original motions. Analysis of ground motions illustrated that the records obtained at Varzaghan station could be classified as pulse-like motions with pulse index around 0.9. As well, the acceleration response spectra for horizontal directions were compared with the design response spectrum of Iranian seismic design code (Standard No. 2800). The comparisons showed a relatively large amplification in spectral values due to near-source pulse effects. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2014