Seismotectonic environment and design basis earthquake for the Darlington nuclear power station

Abstract

This paper presents the case history of a 4 × 950 MW nuclear power station located in the intraplate seismic environment of Eastern Canada. The pertinent seismotectonic features of such an environment are described, including the prevalence of a state of high horizontal compressive stress, and the absence of surface rupturing during most intraplate seismic events. The design earthquakes for the various potential sources zones are determined, including the Western Quebec Zone, the Niagara Region and the Clarendon-Linden Fault System in western New York State. The design basis seismic ground motion parameters are then deduced for the Darlington site, along with the ground response spectra. Differences between the intraplate and plate-boundary seismic environments are discussed.