New earthquake center coming to the UO

The Cascadia Region Earthquake Science Center, a National Science Foundation-funded program led by the University of Oregon aims to bring the best seismologists to the west coast to study the Cascadia fault and the destructive earthquakes that it is bound to cause. This center is the first of its type in the nation and is led by University of Oregon professor Diego Melgar, with collaborations from some of the best universities across the country.

 

Project leaders and University of Oregon professors, Diego Melgar, Valerie Sahakian and Amanda Thomas.

This article first appeared on Around the O on September 11th 2023. 


The stump-like remains of trees that were flattened by the tsunami that struck the West Coast more than 400 years ago stand in water on a beach on the Oregon coast.
The Neskowin Ghost Forest on the Oregon coast is what remains of the many trees that were killed during the last Cascadia earthquake in 1700. The quake caused tsunamis along the US West Coast and in Japan. The geological record reveals that high-magnitude earthquakes occur about every 500 years along the Cascadia Subduction Zone. Photo Credit: Amanda Thomas

The first National Science Foundation-funded subduction zone earthquake science center is a large-scale collaborative effort led by the University of Oregon.

The Cascadia Region Earthquake Science Center (CRESCENT) will conduct shoreline-crossing earthquake hazards research focused on the Cascadia Subduction Zone (CSZ), diversify the geoscience workforce, provide skills training, and improve connections across the subduction zone geohazards community of practice.

In addition to scientists from the UO, other participating institutions include Central Washington University, Oregon State University, University of Washington, Cal Poly Humboldt, Cedar Lake Research Group, Portland State University, Purdue University, Smith College, Stanford University, UC San Diego, Earthscope Consortium, University of North Carolina-Wilmington, U.S. Geological Survey, Virginia Tech, Washington State University, and Western Washington University.

A portrait of Valerie Sahakian, Diego Melgar Moctezuma, and Amanda Thomas standing in front of a map of the US West Coast projected on a wall of monitors.
Valerie Sahakian, Diego Melgar, and Amanda Thomas will lead the UO's new earthquake center.

“The main goal of center is to bring together the large group of seismologists working in Cascadia to march together to the beat of a singular drum,” said Diego Melgar, Ann and Lew Williams Chair and associate professor of earth sciences at the University of Oregon. “The center organizes us, focuses collaboration, and identifies key priorities rather than these institutions competing.”

Melgar, along with Valerie Sahakian, earth sciences associate professor, and Amanda Thomas, earth sciences associate professor, is the lead on the CRESCENT project.

“We are elated to see the nation’s first subduction zone earthquake hazards center become a reality, and we applaud the leadership of the interdisciplinary UO team who worked so hard to make it happen,” said Chris Poulsen, Tykeson Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at the UO. “The assembly of this diverse community of researchers and stakeholders to establish a collaborative earth science research team focused on the Cascadia region is impressive, important, and overdue. We are also proud that this award will help build a diverse future geoscience workforce.”

Creating an “Earthquake Culture”

The Cascadia Subduction Zone has the most comprehensive geologic record of large earthquakes globally, and yet the communities along the U.S. West Coast are ill-prepared should “The Big One” strike the region. There is a large risk that buildings and bridges may collapse, power and gas lines may be disrupted, and water supplies may become inaccessible. In the face of what could be a catastrophic event that would set back the region by decades and likely cause mass out-migration, CRESCENT members aim to mitigate that damage through high performance computing and artificial intelligence-assisted modeling and research aimed at informing better policy practices to fortify the region against earthquakes and related disasters that can occur in tandem: tsunamis, landslides, aftershocks, liquefaction, and fires.

“CRESCENT will conduct research that is directly relevant to earthquake and tsunami hazards but too ambitious for any one scientist to take on individually,” said Amanda Thomas, the Chief Technical Officer for CRESCENT. “Our goal is to create community-endorsed research products that are immediately relevant for science and hazard estimates.” 

The research involves analysis of large datasets using machine learning, earthquake and tsunami simulations using high-performance computing, and bringing a community of experts together to achieve common goals. CRESCENT will facilitate these efforts using cloud-based cyberinfrastructure and access to a team of developers that support center activities.

In the short-term, the center’s goals are to increase understanding of the hazards in the subduction zone and disseminate new knowledge to communities by engaging stakeholders in education. The center seeks to enhance cyberinfrastructure capacity and training and broaden participation of minoritized groups in the geosciences. CRESCENT will establish public-private relationships to build trust and regional resiliency.

“Moving here from southern California, I saw that Cascadia is comparatively less advanced in understanding regional questions about earthquakes in part because we didn’t understand the subduction zone could produce great earthquakes until a few decades ago,” Sahakian said. “Modeling the shaking from California to Canada is a huge endeavor. The center enables us to make bigger strides in models, products, and lines of research to work with engineers and emergency planners to create better building codes and actionable societal outcomes. The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.”

Two people assemble a small catamaran-type research drone in a lab.
Melgar and Sahakian assemble the sensor package in a remotely operated sonar vehicle, which will be used to measure bathymetry. 

Long term, CRESCENT seeks to modernize earth sciences research training and create a diverse workforce while establishing an “earthquake culture” across the region through transformative discoveries in the dynamics and modeling of earthquakes and related hazards that will lead to policy changes and community engagement.

“Good science makes good policy — and jobs. CRESCENT will expand our knowledge of earthquake science and seismic risk in the Pacific Northwest,” said Jonna Papaefthimiou, Oregon state resilience officer in the office of Gov. Tina Kotek. “It will engage communities to connect research and local knowledge and create effective resilience strategies. And it will create career pathways for diverse communities to serve Oregon as scientists and leaders — a triple win for Oregon.”

Seismic Changes for Seismology Itself

A key component of the center is addressing a core issue in geosciences: the lack of diversity. Varied experiences lead to diverse approaches to problem-solving; the field should reflect the backgrounds of the communities it serves.

“I am Latino – one of a few minority geosciences faculty in the U.S.,” Melgar said. “Proportionally, 12% of faculty ranks should be Black and 20% should be Latino. Part of our mandate is to bridge that gap for these and all minoritized communities.”

To do that, the center will engage with minority-serving schools to raise interest in geoscience careers, provide fieldwork stipends and year-round paid research assistantships built on partnerships between universities to support graduate students, and train students in data science and computing.

“There is widespread and growing recognition of the persistently low level of diversity in the geosciences,” says Anne Egger, executive director of the National Association of Geoscience Teachers. “Increasing diversity in the geoscience workforce requires focused, directed efforts at all levels of academia and employers. As a large research center working across multiple states, educational levels, and communities, CRESCENT has a great opportunity to make an impact. I'm excited to see this large, collaborative, societally relevant research center come to the Pacific Northwest.”

Building resiliency in the region to face The Big One is a much greater task than any one institution or research discipline can undertake on its own. Through the collaboration, community engagement, and the data science and machine learning CRESCENT enables, the Cascadia region’s shaky foundations are strengthened.

“The University of Oregon is a leader in earth sciences and in helping communities understand how the processes that have shaped our earth over the course of billions of years have deep impact on us today,” said Anshuman “AR” Razdan, vice president for research and innovation at the UO. “The UO serving as the lead institution for CRESCENT is a testament to the innovative research occurring at the university. This center represents more than just good science; CRESCENT represents research for societal good.”

 By Kelley Christensen, Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation

What they're saying about the center
US Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR)
“The serious threat of a subduction zone earthquake devastating our state — including a potential tsunami slamming the Oregon Coast — demands massive preparation to save lives and property. I’m gratified the University of Oregon has secured this significant federal investment that puts science to its best possible use, namely researching ways to make solid forecasts and design strategies that ensure Oregon communities have every opportunity to withstand the impact of such a natural disaster.”
US Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR)

“Understanding the full power of the Cascadia subduction zone is essential for communities in Oregon and throughout the Pacific Northwest to best prepare for The Big One. I am grateful the UO is leading the charge to bring the research and expertise of leading scientists under one umbrella, because this landmark center will help guide targeted, lifesaving efforts to strengthen infrastructure and boost earthquake resiliency across the region and beyond.”

US Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), representing Oregon’s 3rd Congressional District

“Every Oregonian knows that a Cascadia subduction zone earthquake would dramatically alter our lives. But not every Oregonian knows how best to prepare for one. Today’s investment will enable the University of Oregon to become a national leader on earthquake research, community outreach, and scientific workforce development. This kind of federal commitment to resilience and disaster preparedness will pay dividends for our communities in years to come.”

US Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, (D-OR), representing Oregon’s 1st Congressional District

“The Pacific Northwest is overdue for a major earthquake. Much of our infrastructure will not withstand significant seismic activity or the compounding natural disasters — like tsunami and landslides — caused by a powerful earthquake. The Cascadia Region Earthquake Science Center, led by the University of Oregon and funded through the National Science Foundation, will help prepare our region for a major earthquake and save lives through research, public outreach, and geoscience workforce development. I will be following the Center’s work and will continue to advocate for the resources and policies needed to keep Oregonians safe.”

US Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer (R-OR), representing Oregon’s 5th Congressional District

“I’d like to congratulate the University of Oregon for successfully securing this $15 million grant, and I appreciate the National Science Foundation for recognizing the importance of subduction zone research. This first-of-its-kind project will benefit Oregonians and folks across the Pacific Northwest by improving earthquake preparedness, and it will give students a unique opportunity to engage in research that could save lives. I look forward to seeing the great work that will come from this new center.”

US Rep. Andrea Salinas (D-OR), representing Oregon’s 6th Congressional District

“The Pacific Northwest has long been bracing itself for a potentially catastrophic earthquake and tsunami. Yet, despite the real risk of disaster, our ability to study and prepare for this kind of event has been limited by a lack of resources. That’s why I’m so grateful to the National Science Foundation for its $15 million award to the University of Oregon. This new center will bring researchers together with community partners to make sure that we’re giving our local decision makers – across Oregon and the 6th District – the tools they need to build resilience in their communities. This investment represents a seismic step forward in our efforts to bolster earthquake preparedness.”

US Rep. Val Hoyle (D-OR), representing Oregon’s 4th Congressional District

"Oregonians have known for several years that we are overdue for The Big One. While good work has been done to educate the public about the threat, the work must be done now to prepare in order to do all we can to save lives. I am delighted that the University of Oregon and Oregon State University were awarded this research grant, along with other Pacific Northwest research institutions, to create the first subduction-focused earthquake center in the country. This center takes advantage of our existing scientific expertise and local knowledge. I am confident it will also help our work to improve community preparedness and resiliency from earthquakes and tsunamis.”

Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek (D)

“We are always stronger when we work together — and that unity is absolutely critical when it comes to preparing for a Cascadia subduction zone event. Kudos to the University of Oregon for securing funding for this center and leading the collaborative efforts that will better prepare Oregonians for the impact of a future earthquake. I’m hopeful this collaborative, research-focused approach will provide valuable lessons for the state, the Pacific Northwest, and beyond.”


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