G24AC00072

Project Title: Statewide California Earthquake Center, 2024-2026
Project Period: 2 1 2024 through 1 31 2026
Project Purpose: California's Pacific-North America Plate Boundary, with its complex network of active faults and excellent field access, serves as a natural laboratory for studying earthquake processes. Here, the Southern California Earthquake Center has coordinated world-class research, utilizing this unique setting to improve seismic hazard assessment and community preparedness.

This project seeks to expand the center's reach, transforming it into the Statewide California Earthquake Center (SCEC). By encompassing the entire transform plate boundary in California, the Western Basin and Range, and Northern Baja California, we aim to gain a deeper understanding of fault systems and their behavior. This 2-year project will focus on applied science and data-driven validation. Through these coordinated efforts, the Statewide California Earthquake Center will provide comprehensive, validated models and practical insights to better understand and mitigate the effects of earthquakes in California and beyond.

Key Activities: The project will (1) build statewide community earth models to support earthquake science, (2) develop multi-cycle earthquake simulators for better hazard estimates, (3) create large earthquake scenarios for planning and response, (4) expand physics-based probabilistic seismic hazard analysis (PSHA), (5) continue developing and testing earthquake forecast models, including artificial intelligence methods, (6) ensure sustainability and accessibility of platforms and results, (7) fund innovative research through grants and workshops, and (8) disseminate hazard information to increase earthquake resilience.

Expected Outcomes: This project expects to deliver several key tools for understanding and mitigating the effects of earthquakes in California. First, comprehensive statewide community earth models will integrate diverse data to offer a detailed picture of the state's earthquake landscape. These models will inform multi-cycle earthquake simulations, revealing long-term fault behavior and potential hazards. Large earthquake scenarios will depict possible consequences in different regions, guiding emergency response planning and public education.

The project will leverage the community models to refine physics-based PSHA using the CyberShake platform, generating more accurate hazard maps for California. The project also aims to improve earthquake forecast models, for better prediction capabilities. All developed models and simulation results will be accessible to researchers, policymakers, and the public through sustainable platforms. Finally, the project will actively disseminate hazard information through workshops, outreach programs, and online resources, ultimately increasing societal resilience to earthquakes.

Intended Beneficiaries: The project will provide valuable knowledge for diverse stakeholders. Scientists benefit from improved data and models for research, engineers gain accurate hazard maps and earthquake scenarios to design resilient infrastructure, and emergency response agencies refine preparedness plans with realistic simulations.

Subrecipient Activities: SCEC will manage a competitive annual process for small research projects to achieve proposed goals and milestones. These collaborations among institutions facilitated through SCEC will be funded via subawards with specific recipients determined annually after the annual planning process and with USGS input.

University Of Southern California

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY GOALS RESEARCH FOR NATURAL HAZARDS, ENERGY AND MINERAL RESOURCES, ECOSYSTEMS AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH, AND WATER RESOURCES.

15.808 - U.S. Geological Survey Research and Data Collection

USGS Office of Acquisitions and Grants [DOI - USGS]

California United States

State-Wide

USGS Non-Competitive Assistance FY 2024 - National Grants Branch (G24AS00481)

Amendment Since initial award the total obligations have increased 100% from $1,525,000 to $3,050,000.