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The Cascadia Region Earthquake Science Center (CRESCENT): Advancing understanding of Cascadia's earthquake hazards

Diego Melgar·Amanda M. Thomas·Valerie J. Sahakian·Pieter-Ewald Share·Andrew Meigs·Harold Tobin·Lydia M. Staisch·Timothy Melbourne·Jill Elizabeth·Rasheed Ajala·Colin Amos·Loic Bachelot·Scott Bennett·James Biemiller·Brian Boston·Joseph Byrnes·Andy Clifford·Brendan Crowell·Jonathan Robert Delph·Benchun Duan·Eric Dunham·Tina Dura·Hannah Elston·Brittany Erickson·Shannon Fasola·Becky Fildes·Alice-Agnes Gabriel·Alex R. Grant·Alexandra Elise Hatem·Andrea Hawkes·Bin He·Eileen Hemphill-Haley·Brenton W. Hirao·Emilie Hooft·Yihe Huang·Jesse Hutchinson·Noel Jackson·Harvey Kelsey·Zoe Krauss·Ana Ledeczi·Ben Leshchinsky·Yajing Liu·Jack Loveless·Madeleine C. Lucas·William Marfo·Brett W. Maurer·Morgan P. Moschetti·Michael Olsen·Emily Roland·David Schmidt·Ignacio Sepulveda·Brandon Shuck·William J. Stephenson·Ashley Streig·Ian P. Stone·Chih-Hsuan Sung·Daniel Trugman·William S.D. Wilcock·Erin A. Wirth·Robert C. Witter·Emrah Yenier
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Abstract

The Cascadia Subduction Zone (CSZ) is capable of producing large megathrust earthquakes and tsunamis, posing significant risks to the Pacific Northwest. This paper examines the seismic characteristics of the CSZ, including its offshore coupling, sparse seismicity, and a complex paleoseismic record. While recent advances in geophysical methods and data collection have improved our understanding of subduction zone processes, important uncertainties remain regarding rupture dynamics, ground shaking, and tsunami impacts. The Cascadia Region Earthquake Science Center (CRESCENT) has been established to address these challenges through coordinated research, education, and community engagement. By integrating scientific studies, fostering collaboration, and leveraging new technologies, CRESCENT seeks to improve hazard assessment and resilience in the region. This paper outlines the primary challenges and opportunities in advancing subduction zone science and enhancing societal preparedness for future CSZ events.

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Seismological Research LettersArticle
90° N90° S · 180° W ← longitude → 180° E
Source-reported bounding extent: 38.02379074057018° to 51.80177987752748° latitude; -129.68291017991766° to -120.58102645177411° longitude. This indicates report coverage, not an exact sampling location. View area on OpenStreetMap.

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Diego Melgar, Amanda M. Thomas, Valerie J. Sahakian, Pieter-Ewald Share, Andrew Meigs, Harold Tobin, Lydia M. Staisch, Timothy Melbourne, Jill Elizabeth, Rasheed Ajala, Colin Amos, Loic Bachelot, Scott Bennett, James Biemiller, Brian Boston, Joseph Byrnes, Andy Clifford, Brendan Crowell, Jonathan Robert Delph, Benchun Duan, Eric Dunham, Tina Dura, Hannah Elston, Brittany Erickson, Shannon Fasola, Becky Fildes, Alice-Agnes Gabriel, Alex R. Grant, Alexandra Elise Hatem, Andrea Hawkes, Bin He, Eileen Hemphill-Haley, Brenton W. Hirao, Emilie Hooft, Yihe Huang, Jesse Hutchinson, Noel Jackson, Harvey Kelsey, Zoe Krauss, Ana Ledeczi, Ben Leshchinsky, Yajing Liu, Jack Loveless, Madeleine C. Lucas, William Marfo, Brett W. Maurer, Morgan P. Moschetti, Michael Olsen, Emily Roland, David Schmidt, Ignacio Sepulveda, Brandon Shuck, William J. Stephenson, Ashley Streig, Ian P. Stone, Chih-Hsuan Sung, Daniel Trugman, William S.D. Wilcock, Erin A. Wirth, Robert C. Witter, Emrah Yenier. 2026-07-10. The Cascadia Region Earthquake Science Center (CRESCENT): Advancing understanding of Cascadia's earthquake hazards. https://doi.org/10.1785/0220250318

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