Cartographic Approach to Local Seismic Response in Toluca City, Mexico: A Contribution to Disaster Risk Reduction

The management of urban areas requires cartographic products that reflect social, economic, environmental and physical components. This article is a contribution to the current knowledge of the physical component of Toluca city, Mexico. The article analyzes the seismic response of soils and rocks that make up the city’s subsoil, and cartographic products were introduced informing the management of the urban perimeter. The methodology is based on the interpretation of surface geological conditions, with emphasis on the variables with the greatest influence on the local seismic response. Based on the geotechnical characteristics of the geological materials of the site, the impedance contrast (Ic) and the dominant period of the terrain (T) are estimated. In the results, the geological conditions are summarized in four typical sections, these constitute an essential input for the interpretation of future seismic microzonations. Likewise, the mapping of the impedance contrast and the dominant period is obtained, where Ic values above 3.0 and T above 1.0s are identified. The values metioned, suggest areas susceptible to amplifying seismic waves and constitute relevant information for urban planning, and would justify the application of measures to reduce structural vulnerability.