AbstractA statistical representation of seismic liquefaction is advanced based on the postulate that pore water pressure increases are proportional to the dissipated seismic energy density. The representation, based on approximately fifty case histories, relates the pore pressure increase to earthquake magnitude, distance to centre of energy release, initial effective overburden stressand standard penetration value. The model may be used for analysis ofseismic liquefaction risk. An example analysis for the ‘South of Market Zone’ in San Francisco is carried out in relation to earthquakes on the San Andreas fa