Liquefaction in areas shaken less than MMI VII, or in areas mapped as having a low to very low liquefaction susceptibility, is a statistical possibility, but it is not likely. The following maps show liquefaction hazard in various earthquake scenarios in three simplified categories, graphically shown below. As part of that effort, additional data on the shaking required for liquefaction to take place was collected. Click here for more information on liquefaction. Currently, this type of Seismic Hazard Zone Map is only available for San Francisco, Oakland, part of San Jose and several areas in Los Angeles, Ventura and Orange counties in southern California.
Additional mapping is subject to the availability of state and federal funding.
The modified Mercalli intensity scale seems so subjective. This model therefore predicts a parameter more closely related to velocity than acceleration, and does not model intensity directly. We use units of intensity in the map legend because they are much easier for most people to understand. Typical intensity maps made by others use damage information and what people felt to map intensities of earthquakes which have already occurred. We have attempted to model these general effects in future earthquakes based on shaking severity information.