Nicolas Luco
Nico is a Research Civil Engineer in the Earthquake Hazards Program.
Science and Products
USGS National Seismic Hazard Model User-Needs Workshop
The National Seismic Hazard Model Project (NSHMP) will be summarizing the 2023 National Seismic Hazard Model (NSHM) and presenting a preliminary future vision for the 2029 NSHM release. Day 1 will consist primarily of presentations as well as discussion and questions, and Day 2 will be focused on user participation.
2025 PRVI NSHM Update & Beyond Workshop
The National Seismic Hazard Model Project (NSHMP) will be presenting preliminary results of the 2025 Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands NSHM Update at this public workshop. On Day 1 we will focus on the 2025 PRVI update and on Day 2 we will present current data collection activities. These presentations will be technical but we encourage participation from users and stakeholders.
Operational Earthquake Forecasting – Implementing a Real-Time System for California
It is well know that every earthquake can spawn others (e.g., as aftershocks), and that such triggered events can be large and damaging, as recently demonstrated by L’Aquila, Italy and Christchurch, New Zealand earthquakes. In spite of being an explicit USGS strategic-action priority (http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2012/1088; page 32), the USGS currently lacks an automated system with which to...
Gridded earthquake ground motions for the 2023 ASCE/SEI 41 Standard outside of the conterminous United States Gridded earthquake ground motions for the 2023 ASCE/SEI 41 Standard outside of the conterminous United States
For evaluating and retrofitting existing buildings to resist earthquakes, the 2023 ASCE/SEI 41 Standard provides Basic Safety Earthquake spectral response accelerations at four levels (BSE-1N, BSE-2N, BSE-1E, and BSE-2E). This data release covers BSE-1E and BSE-2E spectral response accelerations for sites outside of the conterminous United States. For sites in the conterminous U.S., BSE...
Maps of earthquake ground motions for the 2009 NEHRP Recommended Seismic Provisions and the 2010 ASCE/SEI 7 Standard Maps of earthquake ground motions for the 2009 NEHRP Recommended Seismic Provisions and the 2010 ASCE/SEI 7 Standard
For designing buildings and other structures to safely resist earthquakes, the 2009 National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP) Recommended Seismic Provisions and the 2010 American Society of Civil Engineers, Structural Engineering Institute (ASCE/SEI) 7 Standard contain maps of Risk-Targeted Maximum Considered Earthquake (MCER) spectral response accelerations, Maximum...
Data Release for the 2023 U.S. 50-State National Seismic Hazard Model - Overview Data Release for the 2023 U.S. 50-State National Seismic Hazard Model - Overview
This data release contains data sets associated with the 2023 50-State National Seismic Hazard Model Update. The 2023 50-State National Seimsic Hazard Model (NSHM) Update includes an update to the NSHMs for the conterminous U.S (CONUS, last updated in 2018), Alaska (AK, last updated in 2007), and Hawaii (last updated in 2001). Data sets include inputs like seismicity catalogs used as...
Gridded earthquake ground motions for the 2023 AASHTO Design Specifications Gridded earthquake ground motions for the 2023 AASHTO Design Specifications
For designing bridges to safely resist earthquakes, the 2023 editions of the AASHTO (1) Guide Specifications for LRFD Seismic Bridge Design, (2) LRFD Bridge Design Specifications, and (3) Guide Specifications for Seismic Isolation Design provide risk-targeted design ground motions via this data release and the corresponding USGS Seismic Design Web Services (listed below). The web...
Seismic Hazard, Risk, and Design for South America Seismic Hazard, Risk, and Design for South America
These data were calculated to estimate seismic hazard, risk, and design across South America using the latest data, models, and methods. The input data to the model, as well as the output data are available here. The input data includes a seismicity catalog, seismicity rate models, evaluation of earthquake sizes, fault geometry and rate parameters, and ground-motion models. Output data...
Shakemap earthquake scenario: Building Seismic Safety Council 2014 Event Set (BSSC2014) Shakemap earthquake scenario: Building Seismic Safety Council 2014 Event Set (BSSC2014)
This is a catalog of earthquake scenarios, represented as ShakeMaps. A ShakeMap is a USGS product that facilitates communication of earthquake effects by portraying a map of the severity of shaking. Maps of shaking severity are provided in terms of macroseismic intensity, peak ground acceleration, peak ground velocity, and spectral accelerations (at 0.3, 1.0 and 3 sec oscillator periods)...
Seismic-hazard maps for the conterminous United States, 2014 Seismic-hazard maps for the conterminous United States, 2014
The maps presented here provide an update to the 2008 data contained in U.S Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Map 3195 (http://pubs.usgs.gov/sim/3195/).Probabilistic seismic-hazard maps were prepared for the conterminous United States for 2014 portraying peak horizontal acceleration and horizontal spectral response acceleration for 0.2- and 1.0-second periods with probabilities...
Seismic-Hazard Maps for the Conterminous United States, 2008 Seismic-Hazard Maps for the Conterminous United States, 2008
Probabilistic seismic-hazard maps were prepared for the conterminous United States portraying peak horizontal acceleration and horizontal spectral response acceleration for 0.2- and 1.0-second periods with probabilities of exceedance of 10 percent in 50 years and 2 percent in 50 years. All of the maps were prepared by combining the hazard derived from spatially smoothed historic...
Filter Total Items: 78
Engineering and risk research—A strategic vision for extending USGS earthquake science to risk assessment and mitigation Engineering and risk research—A strategic vision for extending USGS earthquake science to risk assessment and mitigation
As a part of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Natural Hazards Mission Area, the Engineering and Risk Project (ERP) of the Geologic Hazards Science Center conducts civil engineering research to extend natural hazards science to risk assessments. The ERP includes predominantly, but not exclusively, staff funded by the USGS Earthquake Hazards Program. A major focus of the ERP is to deliver...
Authors
Kishor Jaiswal, Sanaz Rezaeian, Nico Luco, N. Simon Kwong, Andrew Makdisi, H. Benjamin Mason, Robert E. Chase, Zachary Kortum
Simulating human behavior under earthquake early warning Simulating human behavior under earthquake early warning
Earthquakes are a rapid-onset hazard where advance planning and learning plays a key role in mitigating injuries and death to individuals. Recent advances in earthquake detection have resulted in the development of earthquake early warning (EEW) systems. These systems can provide advance warning to predetermined geographic regions that an earthquake is in progress, which may result in...
Authors
Matthew Wood, Sara K. McBride, Xilei Zhao, Dare Baldwin, Elizabeth Cochran, Xiaojian Zhang, Nico Luco, Ruggiero Lovreglio, Tom Cova
Effective site coefficients for the 2024 International Building Code (IBC) Effective site coefficients for the 2024 International Building Code (IBC)
The U.S. National Seismic Hazard Models (NSHMs), developed by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), have long been the scientific foundation of seismic design guidelines and have been used to compute design ground motions for construction of new buildings and retrofit of existing buildings in the United States and its territories. The 2018 NSHM is adopted by the 2024 International Building...
Authors
Sanaz Rezaeian, Nico Luco, Andrew Makdisi, Henry Mason
U.S. Geological Survey Earthquake Hazards Program decadal science strategy, 2024–33 U.S. Geological Survey Earthquake Hazards Program decadal science strategy, 2024–33
Executive Summary Earthquakes represent one of our Nation’s most significant and costly natural hazards, with estimated annual loses from earthquakes close to $15 billion in 2023. Over the past two centuries, 37 U.S. States have experienced an earthquake exceeding a magnitude of 5, and 50 percent of States have a significant potential for future damaging shaking; these statistics speak...
Authors
Gavin P. Hayes, Annemarie Baltay Sundstrom, William Barnhart, Michael Blanpied, Lindsay Davis, Paul Earle, Ned Field, Jill Franks, Douglas Given, Ryan Gold, Christine Goulet, Michelle Guy, Jeanne Hardebeck, Nico Luco, Frederick Pollitz, Adam Ringler, Katherine M. Scharer, Steven Sobieszczyk, Valerie I. Thomas, Cecily Wolfe
Quantitative risk of earthquake disruption to global copper and rhenium supply Quantitative risk of earthquake disruption to global copper and rhenium supply
Earthquakes have the potential to substantially affect mining operations, potentially leading to supply chain disruptions and adversely affecting the global economy. This study explores the quantification of earthquake risk to copper and rhenium commodity supply by examining the spatial concentration of high earthquake hazard areas and the commodity-specific mining, smelting, and...
Authors
Kishor Jaiswal, Nico Luco, Emily Schnebele, Nedal Nassar, Donya Otarod
Integration of rupture directivity models for the US National Seismic Hazard Model Integration of rupture directivity models for the US National Seismic Hazard Model
Several rupture directivity models (DMs) have been developed in recent years to describe the near-source spatial variations in ground motion amplitudes related to propagation of rupture along the fault. We recently organized an effort towards incorporating these directivity effects into the USGS National Seismic Hazard Model (NSHM), by first evaluating the community's work and potential...
Authors
Kyle Withers, Morgan Moschetti, Peter Powers, Mark Petersen, Robert Graves, Brad Aagaard, Annemarie Baltay Sundstrom, Nico Luco, Erin Wirth, Sanaz Rezaeian, Eric Thompson
Modeling protective action decision-making in earthquakes by using explainable machine learning and video data Modeling protective action decision-making in earthquakes by using explainable machine learning and video data
Earthquakes pose substantial threats to communities worldwide. Understanding how people respond to the fast-changing environment during earthquakes is crucial for reducing risks and saving lives. This study aims to study people’s protective action decision-making in earthquakes by leveraging explainable machine learning and video data. Specifically, this study first collected real-world...
Authors
Xiaojian Zhang, Xilei Zhao, Dare Baldwin, Sara K. McBride, Josephine Bellizzi, Elizabeth Cochran, Nicolas Luco, Matthew Wood, Thomas Cova
Findings from a decade of ground motion simulation validation research and a path forward Findings from a decade of ground motion simulation validation research and a path forward
Simulated ground motions have the potential to advance seismic hazard assessments and structural response analyses, particularly for conditions with limited recorded ground motions such as large magnitude earthquakes at short source-to-site distances. However, rigorous validation of simulated ground motions is needed for hazard analysts, practicing engineers, or regulatory bodies to be...
Authors
Sanaz Rezaeian, Jonathan P. Stewart, Nico Luco, Christine Goulet
The 2023 US 50-State National Seismic Hazard Model: Overview and implications The 2023 US 50-State National Seismic Hazard Model: Overview and implications
The US National Seismic Hazard Model (NSHM) was updated in 2023 for all 50 states using new science on seismicity, fault ruptures, ground motions, and probabilistic techniques to produce a standard of practice for public policy and other engineering applications (defined for return periods greater than ∼475 or less than ∼10,000 years). Changes in 2023 time-independent seismic hazard...
Authors
Mark Petersen, Allison Shumway, Peter Powers, Ned Field, Morgan Moschetti, Kishor Jaiswal, Kevin Milner, Sanaz Rezaeian, Arthur Frankel, Andrea Llenos, Andrew Michael, Jason Altekruse, Sean Ahdi, Kyle Withers, Charles Mueller, Yuehua Zeng, Robert Chase, Leah Salditch, Nico Luco, Kenneth S. Rukstales, Julie Herrick, Demi Girot, Brad Aagaard, Adrian Bender, Michael Blanpied, Richard Briggs, Oliver Boyd, Brandon Clayton, Christopher DuRoss, Eileen L. Evans, Peter J. Haeussler, Alexandra Hatem, Kirstie Haynie, Elizabeth Hearn, Kaj Johnson, Zachary Kortum, N. Kwong, Andrew Makdisi, Henry Mason, Daniel McNamara, Devin McPhillips, P. Okubo, Morgan Page, Frederick Pollitz, Justin Rubinstein, Bruce Shaw, Zheng-Kang Shen, Brian Shiro, James Smith, William Stephenson, Eric Thompson, Jessica Jobe, Erin Wirth, Robert C. Witter
Preliminary national-scale seismic risk assessment of natural gas pipelines in the United States Preliminary national-scale seismic risk assessment of natural gas pipelines in the United States
Although the gas pipeline infrastructure in the United States is vulnerable to the seismic hazards of (i) strong ground shaking, and (ii) ground failures induced by surface faulting, liquefaction, or landslides, limited national guidance exists for operators to consistently evaluate the earthquake response of their pipelines. To provide additional information for stakeholders and...
Authors
N. Kwong, Kishor Jaiswal, Nico Luco, J. Baker, K. Ludwig
Evolution of design ground motions in California: NEHRP 2009 to 2020 Evolution of design ground motions in California: NEHRP 2009 to 2020
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) National Seismic Hazard Model (NSHM) is used in construction codes, such as the National Earthquake Hazard Reduction Program (NEHRP) Provisions, to develop ground motions for structural and geotechnical design. When the NSHM is updated (e.g. changes to its earthquake rupture forecast or ground motion models), or the manner in which it is implemented in...
Authors
Stephen Waldvogel, Andrew Makdisi, Katrina Peralta, Henry Mason, Nico Luco, Sanaz Rezaeian
Earthquake early warning: Toward modeling optimal protective actions Earthquake early warning: Toward modeling optimal protective actions
Over the past few years early earthquake warning systems have been incorporated into earthquake preparation efforts in many locations around the globe. These systems provide an excellent opportunity for advanced warning of ground shaking and other hazards associated with earthquakes. This study aims to optimize this advanced warning for individuals inside a building when the alert is...
Authors
M. Wood, X. Zhang, X. Zhao, Sara K. McBride, Nico Luco, D. Baldwin, T. Covas
Python Source Code for USGS Risk-Targeted Ground Motion Calculator Python Source Code for USGS Risk-Targeted Ground Motion Calculator
Python library and associate web services implementation that allows users to compute collapse risk-targeted design ground motions in accordance with the minimum design requirements of two commonly-used U.S. seismic provisions: the American Society of Civil Engineers "Minimum Design Loads and Associated Criteria for Buildings and Other Structures" (ASCE7) and American Association of...
Risk-Targeted Ground Motion Calculator Risk-Targeted Ground Motion Calculator
This web application can be used to calculate risk-targeted ground motion values in accordance with “Method 2” of 2010 ASCE 7 Standard Section 21.2.1.2.
New USGS map shows where damaging earthquakes are most likely to occur in US New USGS map shows where damaging earthquakes are most likely to occur in US
USGS scientists and our partners recently revealed the latest National Seismic Hazard Model, showing that nearly 75% of the United States could experience a damaging earthquake, emphasizing seismic hazards span a significant part of the country.
Science and Products
USGS National Seismic Hazard Model User-Needs Workshop
The National Seismic Hazard Model Project (NSHMP) will be summarizing the 2023 National Seismic Hazard Model (NSHM) and presenting a preliminary future vision for the 2029 NSHM release. Day 1 will consist primarily of presentations as well as discussion and questions, and Day 2 will be focused on user participation.
2025 PRVI NSHM Update & Beyond Workshop
The National Seismic Hazard Model Project (NSHMP) will be presenting preliminary results of the 2025 Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands NSHM Update at this public workshop. On Day 1 we will focus on the 2025 PRVI update and on Day 2 we will present current data collection activities. These presentations will be technical but we encourage participation from users and stakeholders.
Operational Earthquake Forecasting – Implementing a Real-Time System for California
It is well know that every earthquake can spawn others (e.g., as aftershocks), and that such triggered events can be large and damaging, as recently demonstrated by L’Aquila, Italy and Christchurch, New Zealand earthquakes. In spite of being an explicit USGS strategic-action priority (http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2012/1088; page 32), the USGS currently lacks an automated system with which to...
Gridded earthquake ground motions for the 2023 ASCE/SEI 41 Standard outside of the conterminous United States Gridded earthquake ground motions for the 2023 ASCE/SEI 41 Standard outside of the conterminous United States
For evaluating and retrofitting existing buildings to resist earthquakes, the 2023 ASCE/SEI 41 Standard provides Basic Safety Earthquake spectral response accelerations at four levels (BSE-1N, BSE-2N, BSE-1E, and BSE-2E). This data release covers BSE-1E and BSE-2E spectral response accelerations for sites outside of the conterminous United States. For sites in the conterminous U.S., BSE...
Maps of earthquake ground motions for the 2009 NEHRP Recommended Seismic Provisions and the 2010 ASCE/SEI 7 Standard Maps of earthquake ground motions for the 2009 NEHRP Recommended Seismic Provisions and the 2010 ASCE/SEI 7 Standard
For designing buildings and other structures to safely resist earthquakes, the 2009 National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP) Recommended Seismic Provisions and the 2010 American Society of Civil Engineers, Structural Engineering Institute (ASCE/SEI) 7 Standard contain maps of Risk-Targeted Maximum Considered Earthquake (MCER) spectral response accelerations, Maximum...
Data Release for the 2023 U.S. 50-State National Seismic Hazard Model - Overview Data Release for the 2023 U.S. 50-State National Seismic Hazard Model - Overview
This data release contains data sets associated with the 2023 50-State National Seismic Hazard Model Update. The 2023 50-State National Seimsic Hazard Model (NSHM) Update includes an update to the NSHMs for the conterminous U.S (CONUS, last updated in 2018), Alaska (AK, last updated in 2007), and Hawaii (last updated in 2001). Data sets include inputs like seismicity catalogs used as...
Gridded earthquake ground motions for the 2023 AASHTO Design Specifications Gridded earthquake ground motions for the 2023 AASHTO Design Specifications
For designing bridges to safely resist earthquakes, the 2023 editions of the AASHTO (1) Guide Specifications for LRFD Seismic Bridge Design, (2) LRFD Bridge Design Specifications, and (3) Guide Specifications for Seismic Isolation Design provide risk-targeted design ground motions via this data release and the corresponding USGS Seismic Design Web Services (listed below). The web...
Seismic Hazard, Risk, and Design for South America Seismic Hazard, Risk, and Design for South America
These data were calculated to estimate seismic hazard, risk, and design across South America using the latest data, models, and methods. The input data to the model, as well as the output data are available here. The input data includes a seismicity catalog, seismicity rate models, evaluation of earthquake sizes, fault geometry and rate parameters, and ground-motion models. Output data...
Shakemap earthquake scenario: Building Seismic Safety Council 2014 Event Set (BSSC2014) Shakemap earthquake scenario: Building Seismic Safety Council 2014 Event Set (BSSC2014)
This is a catalog of earthquake scenarios, represented as ShakeMaps. A ShakeMap is a USGS product that facilitates communication of earthquake effects by portraying a map of the severity of shaking. Maps of shaking severity are provided in terms of macroseismic intensity, peak ground acceleration, peak ground velocity, and spectral accelerations (at 0.3, 1.0 and 3 sec oscillator periods)...
Seismic-hazard maps for the conterminous United States, 2014 Seismic-hazard maps for the conterminous United States, 2014
The maps presented here provide an update to the 2008 data contained in U.S Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Map 3195 (http://pubs.usgs.gov/sim/3195/).Probabilistic seismic-hazard maps were prepared for the conterminous United States for 2014 portraying peak horizontal acceleration and horizontal spectral response acceleration for 0.2- and 1.0-second periods with probabilities...
Seismic-Hazard Maps for the Conterminous United States, 2008 Seismic-Hazard Maps for the Conterminous United States, 2008
Probabilistic seismic-hazard maps were prepared for the conterminous United States portraying peak horizontal acceleration and horizontal spectral response acceleration for 0.2- and 1.0-second periods with probabilities of exceedance of 10 percent in 50 years and 2 percent in 50 years. All of the maps were prepared by combining the hazard derived from spatially smoothed historic...
Filter Total Items: 78
Engineering and risk research—A strategic vision for extending USGS earthquake science to risk assessment and mitigation Engineering and risk research—A strategic vision for extending USGS earthquake science to risk assessment and mitigation
As a part of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Natural Hazards Mission Area, the Engineering and Risk Project (ERP) of the Geologic Hazards Science Center conducts civil engineering research to extend natural hazards science to risk assessments. The ERP includes predominantly, but not exclusively, staff funded by the USGS Earthquake Hazards Program. A major focus of the ERP is to deliver...
Authors
Kishor Jaiswal, Sanaz Rezaeian, Nico Luco, N. Simon Kwong, Andrew Makdisi, H. Benjamin Mason, Robert E. Chase, Zachary Kortum
Simulating human behavior under earthquake early warning Simulating human behavior under earthquake early warning
Earthquakes are a rapid-onset hazard where advance planning and learning plays a key role in mitigating injuries and death to individuals. Recent advances in earthquake detection have resulted in the development of earthquake early warning (EEW) systems. These systems can provide advance warning to predetermined geographic regions that an earthquake is in progress, which may result in...
Authors
Matthew Wood, Sara K. McBride, Xilei Zhao, Dare Baldwin, Elizabeth Cochran, Xiaojian Zhang, Nico Luco, Ruggiero Lovreglio, Tom Cova
Effective site coefficients for the 2024 International Building Code (IBC) Effective site coefficients for the 2024 International Building Code (IBC)
The U.S. National Seismic Hazard Models (NSHMs), developed by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), have long been the scientific foundation of seismic design guidelines and have been used to compute design ground motions for construction of new buildings and retrofit of existing buildings in the United States and its territories. The 2018 NSHM is adopted by the 2024 International Building...
Authors
Sanaz Rezaeian, Nico Luco, Andrew Makdisi, Henry Mason
U.S. Geological Survey Earthquake Hazards Program decadal science strategy, 2024–33 U.S. Geological Survey Earthquake Hazards Program decadal science strategy, 2024–33
Executive Summary Earthquakes represent one of our Nation’s most significant and costly natural hazards, with estimated annual loses from earthquakes close to $15 billion in 2023. Over the past two centuries, 37 U.S. States have experienced an earthquake exceeding a magnitude of 5, and 50 percent of States have a significant potential for future damaging shaking; these statistics speak...
Authors
Gavin P. Hayes, Annemarie Baltay Sundstrom, William Barnhart, Michael Blanpied, Lindsay Davis, Paul Earle, Ned Field, Jill Franks, Douglas Given, Ryan Gold, Christine Goulet, Michelle Guy, Jeanne Hardebeck, Nico Luco, Frederick Pollitz, Adam Ringler, Katherine M. Scharer, Steven Sobieszczyk, Valerie I. Thomas, Cecily Wolfe
Quantitative risk of earthquake disruption to global copper and rhenium supply Quantitative risk of earthquake disruption to global copper and rhenium supply
Earthquakes have the potential to substantially affect mining operations, potentially leading to supply chain disruptions and adversely affecting the global economy. This study explores the quantification of earthquake risk to copper and rhenium commodity supply by examining the spatial concentration of high earthquake hazard areas and the commodity-specific mining, smelting, and...
Authors
Kishor Jaiswal, Nico Luco, Emily Schnebele, Nedal Nassar, Donya Otarod
Integration of rupture directivity models for the US National Seismic Hazard Model Integration of rupture directivity models for the US National Seismic Hazard Model
Several rupture directivity models (DMs) have been developed in recent years to describe the near-source spatial variations in ground motion amplitudes related to propagation of rupture along the fault. We recently organized an effort towards incorporating these directivity effects into the USGS National Seismic Hazard Model (NSHM), by first evaluating the community's work and potential...
Authors
Kyle Withers, Morgan Moschetti, Peter Powers, Mark Petersen, Robert Graves, Brad Aagaard, Annemarie Baltay Sundstrom, Nico Luco, Erin Wirth, Sanaz Rezaeian, Eric Thompson
Modeling protective action decision-making in earthquakes by using explainable machine learning and video data Modeling protective action decision-making in earthquakes by using explainable machine learning and video data
Earthquakes pose substantial threats to communities worldwide. Understanding how people respond to the fast-changing environment during earthquakes is crucial for reducing risks and saving lives. This study aims to study people’s protective action decision-making in earthquakes by leveraging explainable machine learning and video data. Specifically, this study first collected real-world...
Authors
Xiaojian Zhang, Xilei Zhao, Dare Baldwin, Sara K. McBride, Josephine Bellizzi, Elizabeth Cochran, Nicolas Luco, Matthew Wood, Thomas Cova
Findings from a decade of ground motion simulation validation research and a path forward Findings from a decade of ground motion simulation validation research and a path forward
Simulated ground motions have the potential to advance seismic hazard assessments and structural response analyses, particularly for conditions with limited recorded ground motions such as large magnitude earthquakes at short source-to-site distances. However, rigorous validation of simulated ground motions is needed for hazard analysts, practicing engineers, or regulatory bodies to be...
Authors
Sanaz Rezaeian, Jonathan P. Stewart, Nico Luco, Christine Goulet
The 2023 US 50-State National Seismic Hazard Model: Overview and implications The 2023 US 50-State National Seismic Hazard Model: Overview and implications
The US National Seismic Hazard Model (NSHM) was updated in 2023 for all 50 states using new science on seismicity, fault ruptures, ground motions, and probabilistic techniques to produce a standard of practice for public policy and other engineering applications (defined for return periods greater than ∼475 or less than ∼10,000 years). Changes in 2023 time-independent seismic hazard...
Authors
Mark Petersen, Allison Shumway, Peter Powers, Ned Field, Morgan Moschetti, Kishor Jaiswal, Kevin Milner, Sanaz Rezaeian, Arthur Frankel, Andrea Llenos, Andrew Michael, Jason Altekruse, Sean Ahdi, Kyle Withers, Charles Mueller, Yuehua Zeng, Robert Chase, Leah Salditch, Nico Luco, Kenneth S. Rukstales, Julie Herrick, Demi Girot, Brad Aagaard, Adrian Bender, Michael Blanpied, Richard Briggs, Oliver Boyd, Brandon Clayton, Christopher DuRoss, Eileen L. Evans, Peter J. Haeussler, Alexandra Hatem, Kirstie Haynie, Elizabeth Hearn, Kaj Johnson, Zachary Kortum, N. Kwong, Andrew Makdisi, Henry Mason, Daniel McNamara, Devin McPhillips, P. Okubo, Morgan Page, Frederick Pollitz, Justin Rubinstein, Bruce Shaw, Zheng-Kang Shen, Brian Shiro, James Smith, William Stephenson, Eric Thompson, Jessica Jobe, Erin Wirth, Robert C. Witter
Preliminary national-scale seismic risk assessment of natural gas pipelines in the United States Preliminary national-scale seismic risk assessment of natural gas pipelines in the United States
Although the gas pipeline infrastructure in the United States is vulnerable to the seismic hazards of (i) strong ground shaking, and (ii) ground failures induced by surface faulting, liquefaction, or landslides, limited national guidance exists for operators to consistently evaluate the earthquake response of their pipelines. To provide additional information for stakeholders and...
Authors
N. Kwong, Kishor Jaiswal, Nico Luco, J. Baker, K. Ludwig
Evolution of design ground motions in California: NEHRP 2009 to 2020 Evolution of design ground motions in California: NEHRP 2009 to 2020
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) National Seismic Hazard Model (NSHM) is used in construction codes, such as the National Earthquake Hazard Reduction Program (NEHRP) Provisions, to develop ground motions for structural and geotechnical design. When the NSHM is updated (e.g. changes to its earthquake rupture forecast or ground motion models), or the manner in which it is implemented in...
Authors
Stephen Waldvogel, Andrew Makdisi, Katrina Peralta, Henry Mason, Nico Luco, Sanaz Rezaeian
Earthquake early warning: Toward modeling optimal protective actions Earthquake early warning: Toward modeling optimal protective actions
Over the past few years early earthquake warning systems have been incorporated into earthquake preparation efforts in many locations around the globe. These systems provide an excellent opportunity for advanced warning of ground shaking and other hazards associated with earthquakes. This study aims to optimize this advanced warning for individuals inside a building when the alert is...
Authors
M. Wood, X. Zhang, X. Zhao, Sara K. McBride, Nico Luco, D. Baldwin, T. Covas
Python Source Code for USGS Risk-Targeted Ground Motion Calculator Python Source Code for USGS Risk-Targeted Ground Motion Calculator
Python library and associate web services implementation that allows users to compute collapse risk-targeted design ground motions in accordance with the minimum design requirements of two commonly-used U.S. seismic provisions: the American Society of Civil Engineers "Minimum Design Loads and Associated Criteria for Buildings and Other Structures" (ASCE7) and American Association of...
Risk-Targeted Ground Motion Calculator Risk-Targeted Ground Motion Calculator
This web application can be used to calculate risk-targeted ground motion values in accordance with “Method 2” of 2010 ASCE 7 Standard Section 21.2.1.2.
New USGS map shows where damaging earthquakes are most likely to occur in US New USGS map shows where damaging earthquakes are most likely to occur in US
USGS scientists and our partners recently revealed the latest National Seismic Hazard Model, showing that nearly 75% of the United States could experience a damaging earthquake, emphasizing seismic hazards span a significant part of the country.