Seismic microzonation map of Syria using topographic slope and characteristics of surface soil

The microzonation map of any region is important to plan proper design of building, especially in seismic prone region. This paper discusses the use of remote sensing data and digital elevation model (DEM) in evaluating the site-specific conditions for microzonation map of Syria. We have made efforts to quantify the dynamic properties of surface soil for Syrian territory in terms of shear velocity $$V_{\text{S}}^{30}$$ V S 30 and predominant period $$T_{S_0}^{30}$$ T S 0 30 and have prepared a microzonation map that divides the surface soil into various classes according to Syrian building code. In the present study, we have used ASTER satellite DEM of high resolution (30 × 30 m pixel size) to produce slope map of the Syrian territory. The slope-velocity $$V_{\text{S}}^{30}$$ V S 30 model is used to generate the base velocity map. The map of predominant period is also created. We present microzonation maps with respect to dynamic properties of soil ( $$V_{\text{S}}^{30}$$ V S 30 , $$T_{S_0}^{30}$$ T S 0 30 ) that show four classes. The used slope-velocity model failed to characterize the sites which have velocities lower or higher than the assigned range bounds. The present results show that the value of $$V_{\text{S}}^{30}$$ V S 30 varies in the range 180–760 m/s and fits the geological, tectonic, geomorphological and topographic settings of Syria. The results indicate that the predominant period of surface soil varies in the range of 0.1578–0.667 s. A quick review on general amplification factor “F” is presented which varies in the range 1.381–5.83 for Syrian territory $$\left( {\bar{F} = 3.66} \right)$$ F ¯ = 3.66 . The produced site-class characterization maps are very much required by Syrian anti-seismic design code.