Cascadia Region Earthquake Science Center Explained

Cascadia Region Earthquake Science Center
Formation:	October 2023
Purpose:	Earthquake hazards research and geoscience education
Headquarters:	Eugene, OR, USA
Leader Title:	Director
Leader Name:	Diego Melgar

The Cascadia Region Earthquake Science Center (CRESCENT) is a research and educational collaboration between public and private universities, government agencies, and non-profits.^{[1] [2]} The stated mission of the center^[3] is to (i) carry out basic and applied science research on earthquake hazards at the Cascadia Subduction Zone, (ii) promote access to careers in the geosciences, especially amongst minoritized individuals, and (iii) form partnerships between researchers and organizations in charge of response and planning for earthquake hazards.

Overview

The center was established with US$15M in funding^{[4] [5]} from the National Science Foundation as part of the Centers for Innovation and Community Engagement in Solid Earth Geohazards program^[6] which funds other important research centers such as the Statewide California Earthquake Center (SCEC).

Partner institutions

CRESCENT directly funds researchers and educators from 14 institutions, they are:

• California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt
• Central Washington University
• EarthScope Consortium
• Oregon State University
• Portland State University
• Purdue University
• Smith College
• Stanford University
• University of California San Diego
• University of North Carolina Wilmington
• University of Oregon (headquarters)
• University of Washington
• Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
• Washington State University

In addition CRESCENT counts amongst its senior personnel many scientist from the U.S. Geological Survey.

Headquarters

CRESCENT is part of the Department of Earth Sciences and is on the campus of the University of Oregon located in the city of Eugene.

References

1. Web site: Hasler . Caroline . 2023-10-16 . Shaking Up Earthquake Science in Cascadia . 2024-01-28 . Eos . en-US.
2. Web site: How destructive could ‘the big one’ be? A new UO earthquake center will study impacts . 2024-01-28 . The Register-Guard . en-US.
3. Web site: About CRESCENT . 2024-01-28 . Cascadia Region Earthquake Science Center . en-US.
4. Web site: 2023-09-08 . Breaking ground in earthquake research: NSF announces two awards through the Centers for Innovation and Community Engagement in Solid Earth Geohazards NSF - National Science Foundation . 2024-01-30 . new.nsf.gov . en.
5. Web site: 2023-09-13 . New earthquake research center receives $15M to advance understanding of the Cascadia Subduction Zone . 2024-01-28 . KLCC NPR for Oregonians . en.
6. Web site: 2023-12-12 . Centers for Innovation and Community Engagement in Solid Earth Geohazards NSF - National Science Foundation . 2024-01-28 . new.nsf.gov . en.