$6.1 Million NSF Grant Promises Groundbreaking Transformation in California’s Earthquake Research by SCEC

Thanks to a recently awarded $6.1 million National Science Foundation grant, the Southern California Earthquake Center has an updated name and a wider remit. Now the Statewide California Earthquake Center, the consortium will expand its “natural laboratory” beyond the San Andreas Fault System in Southern California to encompass the entire Pacific-North America plate boundary in California and the surrounding regions.

Since its founding in 1991, SCEC has been ground zero for earthquake research and outreach for the state and around the world. Based at USC and supported by the NSF, the U.S. Geological Survey and other sponsors, the consortium of over 90 research institutions coordinates interdisciplinary earthquake research to provide useful information for reducing earthquake risk.

On Oct. 19, USC will participate in the 16th annual Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drill that SCEC and key partners created in 2008 in Southern California, and SCEC now coordinates worldwide.

THE GREAT SHAKEOUT

• What: Annual worldwide earthquake drill. USC has participated since the ShakeOut began in 2008.
• When: 10:19 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 19.
• Learn more: Visit USC’s ShakeOut website.