U.S. Federal Investment in Earthquake Science: Critical for National Security, Resilience,Research

Statement on Federal Investment in Earthquake Science

The steadfast funding of federal geoscience programs, particularly those focusing on earthquake science, is vital for the strengthening of national security, boosting our global and economic competitiveness, supporting resilient communities, and nurturing a highly skilled workforce. Basic research in geosciences and earth sciences contributes significantly to monitoring and preparing agnst earthquakes and other natural disasters, understanding and safeguarding environmental health, as well as efficiently locating and utilizing natural resources such as oil and natural gas.

The United States Government supports programs related to seismology and earthquake engineering across several agencies:

• United States Geological Survey USGS: USGS produces national seismic hazard maps that inform building codes, assess risk, and shape policy through its Earthquake Hazards Program. The agency also provides near-real-time ground shaking assessments known as ShakeMaps, which are utilized by federal, state, and local organizations, private entities for post-earthquake damage assessment, response, and recovery efforts.

• National Science Foundation NSF Geosciences Directorate: This entity contributes more than half of all funding directed towards geoscience research at U.S. universities. It supports initiatives med at comprehing and mitigating the impacts of various geologic hazards including earthquakes, landslides, volcanic eruptions, floods, droughts, etc.

• Seismological Facility for the Advancement of Geoscience SAGE and Geodetic Facility for the Advancement of Geoscience GAGE: These facilities are managed by NSF with support from USGS and NASA respectively. They offer state-of-the-art seismic and geophysical instrumentation and services crucial for research and educational purposes in earth sciences.

• National Aeronautics and Space Administration's NASA Earth Science Program: This program characterizes the dynamics of Earth’s surface and interior, enhancing capabilities to assess and respond to natural hazards and extreme events through long-term global observations via satellite missions and rborne platforms.

• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NOAA, National Institute of Standards and Technology NIST, Federal Emergency Management Agency FEMA, Nuclear Regulatory Commission NRC: These organizations contribute to research and applications in earth sciences, focusing on the interconnections between the solid Earth, oceans, and atmosphere. Their work also includes improving tsunami warning capabilities through NOAA’s National Weather Service.

• Department of Energy DOE - Geothermal Technologies Office: This office utilizes seismic data analysis to improve the quality and quantity of potential drilling sites for exploring and extracting geothermal resources.

• National Nuclear Security Administration NNSA: The NNSA engages in seismic research, contributing to enhanced national and international capabilities for monitoring nuclear weapons development and testing as well as compliance with nuclear testing treaties.

Department of Defense DOD:

• DOD administers a program focused on seismic activities that supports national security requirements related to monitoring nuclear explosions and ensuring compliance with nuclear testing treaties.

• The department also mntns the GPS global navigation satellite system, which supplies critical data for natural hazards assessment, monitoring, and management purposes.

• The DoD operates the seismic technology programs of the r Force Research Laboratories.

The Seismological Society of America SSA urges Congress to increase the nation's preparedness for natural disasters by ensuring robust funding towards these geoscience programs across federal agencies. This support promotes research that improves our understanding, mitigation capabilities and response strategies in earthquake science as well as related fields such as volcanology, paleoclimate studies, and geomorphology.

Approval: This statement was orsed by the SSA Board of Directors on January 2024.

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Contact Information:

• Seismological Society of America

  Address: 400 Evelyn Avenue, Suite 201, Albany, CA 94706

  Phone: 510 525-5474

  Fax: 510 525-7204

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