This paper investigates the liquefaction hazard in the Port Area of Pulau Baai, Bengkulu City, during the large subduction earthquake of 2007. The study was conducted systematically, commencing with a site investigation that included shear wave velocity measurements. Spectral matching and ground motion predictions, based on a relevant attenuation model, were performed to derive representative ground motions for the study sites. Ground response analysis was carried out to examine soil behaviour under seismic loading. Non-linear finite element analysis was utilised to assess dynamic soil characteristics such as excess pore water pressure, shear stress-strain response and stress paths. Additionally, an empirical evaluation was conducted to assess the liquefaction potential. The results indicate that liquefaction at shallow depths could occur, particularly in the first two sand layers. They also suggest that potential seismic damage could range from VII to IX on the Modified Mercalli Intensity (MMI) scale. Both numerical and empirical analyses demonstrated consistent trends and alignment. The comparison of excess pore pressure ratios and safety factors aligns with findings from previous studies. These results underscore the importance of implementing seismic hazard mitigation measures for the study area.

Damages occurring during earthquakes may vary depending on the ground conditions in which the earthquake waves pass, the magnitude of the earthquake, the focal depth of the shaking and as well as the structural characteristics. Regional seismicity, ground movement and behavior of local soil conditions are important in earthquake-resistant building designs. Local site conditions consist of the layering, bedrock depth, and dynamic and topographic characteristics of soil that alter the bedrock waves through the soil profile during an earthquake. The change occurs in terms of amplitude, frequency and the time when the peak happens during the wave propagation. This initiates a big difference between the surface and bedrock motion. The behavior of the soil under cyclic loads resulting from seismic action is non-linear. This study aims to demonstrate the effects of strong ground motion by taking into account the nonlinear behavior of the soil layers. In addition, the results obtained from the equivalent linear and non-linear methods were compared. The results of the study showed that the characteristics of soil layers and strong ground motion (frequency content and duration) significantly affect the field response analysis and generally larger spectral parameters (about %20) have been obtained with the equivalent linear method compared to the nonlinear behavior. Finally, empirical models to estimate the soil amplification reflect different compared to the site specific analysis.