Seismic design parameters for nuclear power plants on the east coast of mainland China

The need for reliable electric power for the major cities and the proximity of the ocean for cooling water has stimulated an ambitious program of nuclear power plant development along the east coast of mainland China. For the coast north of about 34 degrees latitude, seismic hazard is controlled by active faults, especially the Tan-Lu Fault. South of the zone of influence of active faults, the coast does not have the high seismic hazard of other parts of China. However, a few large earthquakes have occurred in areas of ancient geologic structures and they have no obvious origin in terms of modern tectonics. A preliminary assessment of seismic hazard indicates that a Safe Shutdown Earthquake peak horizontal ground acceleration of about 0.2 g is appropriate for much of the east coast, but values in excess of 0.4 g may be appropriate in a few areas near active faults or epicenters of strong historical earthquakes. (orig.)