This document provides information about seismic zones in the United States and the services offered by AEI Consultants related to seismic risk assessments. It includes a map showing seismic zones from 0 to 4 based on risk of damaging seismic activity. It also describes AEI's seismic inspections and probable maximum loss calculations to determine seismic risk and potential damage to properties to inform clients.

1. Seismic Zone Map www.aeiconsultants.com
Seattle
Olympia
Portland
Helena
Bismark Fargo
Montpelier Augusta
Billings
Boise
Pierre Minneapolis Boston
Albany
Buffalo
Milwaukee Detroit New York
Cheyenne Harrisburg
Chicago Cleveland
Sacramento Reno
Salt Lake City Omaha Des Moines
Lincoln Columbus DE
Denver
San Francisco Springfield Cincinnati
Topeka Indianapolis
Washington D.C.
Frankfort Charleston
Jefferson City Richmond
Las Vegas
Springfield
Raleigh
Flagstaff
Santa Fe Tulsa Nashville
Los Angeles Charlotte
Albuquerque Memphis
Oklahoma City Columbia
San Diego Phoenix
Atlanta
Little Rock
Dallas
El Paso
Jackson
Montgomery Seismic Zones
Tallahassee
Zone 0 = 0
Fairbanks
Austin Baton Rouge
Zone 1 = .075
Tampa
Zone 2A = .15
Anchorage Honolulu
Juneau
Miami Zone 2B = .20
Zone 3 = .3
Zone 4 = .4
Source: 1997 Uniform Building Code, Copyright 1997. International Code Council.
Reproduced with permission. All rights reserved. www.iccsafe.org
For more information about AEI Consultants or seismic inspections in your area please call 1.800.801.3224

2. Seismic Zone Information www.aeiconsultants.com
Since its founding in 1992, AEI Consultants has performed thousands of
The AEI seismic map identifies seismic zones from zero to four.
engineering assessments on various commercial property types for both These zones are defined as:
private and public clients throughout North America.
Zone 0: Very low risk. No seismic requirements
Properties in seismically active areas have a higher risk of suffering significant Zone 1: Low Risk of damaging seismic activity
damage in the event of the major earthquake. Knowing the seismic risk of Zone 2A: Low to moderate risk of damaging seismic activity
your property is important to avoid future expenditures. The information Zone 2B: Moderate risk of damaging seismic activity
provided on the map is based on the 1997 Uniform Building Code, published Zone 3: Moderate to high risk of damaging seismic activity
by the International Conference of Building Officials. The United Stated is Zone 4: Highest risk of damaging seismic activity
divided into four seismic zones depending on hazard risk. Please review the
map on the reverse to determine what seismic zone your property is in.
The Probable Maximum Loss (PML) is defined by the American Society for Testing and
Materials (ASTM) in Standard Practice E2026-99. The report summarizes the risk of
structural failure due to the vibratory motion from the maximum probable earthquake. The
PML is expressed as a damage ratio (percentage) that determines the approximate repair
cost divided by the replacement cost of the building due to a large seismic event, commonly
referred to as the "475-year event." This calculation is used by lenders to determine the
conformance to lender standards required to fund a loan. The PML takes into account
various factors including construction type, date, site condition and location of the building.
There are two methodologies employed by AEI to find the PML percentage.
1. Scenario Expected Loss (SEL)- The average expected value loss to the building resulting from a seismic event.
2. Scenario Upper Loss (SUL)- The scenario loss that has a 10 percent probability of exceedance due to the specified
ground motion of the scenario consideration.
Each method determines the maximum probable earthquake loss, but the methods and calculations involved differ.
The specific methodologies are governed by the lender, but all include the following:
- Cursory review of available geologic and soils reports and drawings.
- Site visit and general assessment of the property, building(s), related facilities and general site characteristics.
- Preliminary assessment of earthquake ground shaking, liquefaction and fault surface rupture potential based on
historical regional hazard data.
- Preparation of a report including a list of general seismic deficiencies and preliminary estimate of facility earthquake
damage loss based on empirical loss estimation methodologies.
For more information about AEI Consultants or seismic inspections in your area please call 1.800.801.3224