Recently there has been discussion of how SCEC will create consensus earthquake scenarios for use by engineers and risk managers. A rapidly growing group of potential users of earthquake scenarios are public and private users of FEMA's HAZUS loss estimation software. Over the last year, SCEC, OES, FEMA, and Well's Fargo have been working to create the Southern California HAZUS User Group (SoCalHUG). SCEC is participating in order to develop an interface with implementers of SCEC research. As part of this effort, FEMA funded a workshop on November 13th specifically for SCEC scientists and our partners.

The purpose of the workshop was to begin a discussion of how SCEC will develop scenarios, and other ways that SCEC and our partners can improve HAZUS assessments. FEMA-sponsored presenters James Buika, Jawhar Bouabid, Ivan Wong, and Brian Kehoe provided an overview of the HAZUS methodology, examples demonstrating how HAZUS can be used to guide earthquake research, and discussed how such research can be used to improve HAZUS results. Chris Wills presented the role of the CDMG in the use of HAZUS, including an overview of the statewide risk assessment and the earth science data on which it was based. Dave Wald discussed the development of ShakeMap scenarios, and there was discussion of how to include improved source characterization, attenuation relationships, and ground shaking amplification factors. Presentations are listed below along with PowerPoint shows to view online or download.

The workshop was scheduled for November 13th to coincide with a general meeting of SoCalHUG later the same day. To view the presentations from the SoCalHUG meeting, go to http://www.hazus.org and select the SoCalHUG page.

AGENDA

Moderator: Mark Benthien, Associate Director for Outreach, SCEC

Introduction
Tom Jordan, Director Designate, SCEC

HAZUS: Past, Present, and Future
Jim Buika, Earthquake Program Manager, Region IX, FEMA
Power Point Presentation: Web Pages | Download

HAZUS Today: What Needs to be Done Next?
Jawhar Bouabid, HAZUS Developer, Durham Technologies
Power Point Presentation: Web Pages | Download

Seismic Risk Assessment for the State of South Carolina
Jawhar Bouabid, HAZUS Developer, Durham Technologies
Power Point Presentation: Web Pages | Download

Earth Science Aspects of HAZUS
Ivan Wong, Seismologist, URS Corporation
Power Point Presentation: Web Pages | Download

Damage Estimation for Buildings and Lifelines
Brian Kehoe, Structural Engineer, Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates
Power Point Presentation: Web Pages | Download

CDMG Role in Use of HAZUS
Chris Wills, Supervising Geologist, California Division of Mines and Geology
Power Point Presentation: Web Pages | Download

ShakeMap Scenario Earthquakes
Dave Wald, Seismologist, U.S. Geological Survey
Power Point Presentation: Web Pages | Download