The strong motion of a small long and narrow basin caused by a moderate scenario earthquake is simulated by using the spectral-element method and the parallel computing technique.A total of five different geometrical profiles within the basin are used to analyze the generation and propagation of surface waves and their relation to the basin structures in both the time and frequency domain.The amplification effects are analyzed by the distribution of peak ground velocity(PGV)and cumulative kinetic energy(Ek) in the basin.The results show that in the 3D basin,the excitation of the fundamental and higher surface wave modes are similar to that of the 2D model.Small bowls in the basin have great influence on the amplification and distribution of strong ground motion,due to their lateral resonances when the wavelengths of the lateral surface waves are comparable to the size of the bowls.Obvious basin edge effects can be seen at the basin edge closer to the source for constructive interference between direct body waves and the basin-induced surface waves.The Ek distribution maps show very large values in small bowls and some corners in the basin due to the interference of waves propagating in different directions.A high impedance contrast model can excite more surface wave modes,resulting in longer shaking durations as well as more complex seismograms and PGV and Ek distributions. The strong motion of a small long and narrow basin caused by a moderate scenario earthquake is simulated by using the spectral-element method and the parallel computing technique. A total of five different geometrical profiles within the basin are used to analyze the generation and propagation of surface waves and their relation to the basin structures in both the time and frequency domain. The amplification effects are analyzed by the distribution of peak ground velocity (PGV) and cumulative kinetic energy (Ek) in the basin. The results show that in the 3D basin, the excitation of the fundamental and higher surface wave modes are similar to that of the 2D model.Small bowls in the basin have great influence on the amplification and distribution of strong ground motion, due to their lateral resonances when the wavelengths of the lateral surface waves are comparable to the size of the bowls. Obvious basin edge effects can be seen at the basin edge closer to the source for constructive interferenc e between direct body waves and the basin-induced surface waves. The Ek distribution maps show very large values ​​in small bowls and some corners in the basin due to the interference of waves propagating in different directions. A high impedance contrast model can excite more surface wave modes, resulting in longer shaking durations as well as more complex seismograms and PGV and Ek distributions.