2026 SCEC Parkfield 2.0 Workshop

Date: June 10-11, 2026
Location: Moffett Field, CA
Workshop Organizers: Bill Ellsworth, Roland Burgmann, Cliff Thurber, Yihe Huang, Andy Barbour, Nathan Toke
SCEC Award: 26052

Application Deadline: April 27, 2026
Accepted participants will be notified by May 4, 2026

Summary

The SCEC Parkfield 2.0 workshop, to be held on June 10-11, 2026 at Moffett Field, California, is focused on the earthquake science opportunities along the San Andreas Fault in the Parkfield region of central California. With its long history of repeating magnitude 6 earthquakes and decades of extensive geophysical and geological research, the Parkfield region presents unique opportunities for deepening our understanding of fault behavior, fault zone structure, and the underlying physics. The full spectrum of fault behavior is on display, and the deep SAFOD borehole also provides unique research opportunities to probe the fault zone at depth.

The workshop will combine oral presentations on background and history, key disciplinary and interdisciplinary research findings and questions, and critical research needs and associated discussion sessions with poster presentations illuminating the breadth of past, current, and potential future research in the region. We expect to emerge from the workshop with an exciting vision for Parkfield science in the future, including a set of well-posed scientific questions that align with the SCEC science plan and that can be addressed through SCEC community activities focused on the Parkfield region.

The workshop organizers want to encourage participation by scientists from a range of career stages and researchers both with and without prior Parkfield-related experience. We seek to bring together individuals with seasoned perspectives from their prior Parkfield research as well as those who can bring new perspectives from research not previously linked to Parkfield. Given the remarkable breadth of scientific opportunities in the Parkfield region, the workshop is expected to spark vigorous, creative investigations by a broad cross-section of SCEC and related researchers.

To foster discussion and interaction, the workshop is expected to convene approximately 50 participants, who will be selected based on their statement of interest and the potential contribution to the workshop objectives.

Accepted participants will be notified by May 4, 2026, with details on registration payments, hotel reservations, and additional travel support if applicable.

Registration Fee

The workshop registration fee is $115 and covers venue costs, as well as meals and breaks listed on the June 10-11 agenda.

Travel Support

Applicants should complete the travel support section carefully as part of the application process. Students, early‑career researchers, and participants without institutional funding are especially encouraged to apply for travel support. Subject to available funding, SCEC travel support may include travel to the workshop venue, lodging and/or meal expenses.

All times below Pacific Standard Time (UTC -7)

June 10, 2026

Time	Agenda Item
10:00 - 12:00	Session 1: Introduction to Parkfield and State of Knowledge This opening session sets the stage for the workshop by reviewing the history of Parkfield earthquake research, its role as a natural laboratory on the San Andreas Fault, and the current state of scientific understanding. The session features four invited talks followed by an interactive panel discussion that frames key questions and opportunities for the workshop.
12:00 - 13:00	Lunch & Poster Session 1 An informal poster session to provide an opportunity for participants to share and explore a broad range of past, ongoing, and future Parkfield‑related research.
13:00 - 14:00	Session 2: Geology and SAFOD Legacy This session focuses on San Andreas Fault geology and structure, spanning the creeping central fault, Parkfield segment and the 1857 rupture. This session also explores insights gained from the San Andreas Fault Observatory at Depth (SAFOD). Five short talks are followed by a moderated discussion on unresolved questions and future directions.
14:30 - 15:00	Break
15:00 - 16:30	Session 3: Parkfield Earthquakes and Fault Behavior This session examines the full spectrum of fault behavior on display near Parkfield where the central creeping section of the San Andreas fault meets the locked sections of the fault to the south. Since the dawn and sunrise foreshocks leading up to the Great 1857 earthquake there have been five ~M6 events, creep increases from zero to more than 25 mm/a in just over 30 km, and geophysical monitoring has enabled the observation of fascinating patterns of microseismicity and slow slip events. Talks will span observational, theoretical, and modeling perspectives with discussion centered on what the diverse patterns of slip behavior teach us about how faults work over various timescales.
16:30 - 17:00	Lightning Talks A fast‑paced session highlighting emerging ideas, new datasets, and novel approaches from across the community. Lightning talks are designed to spark discussion, seed collaborations, and showcase perspectives from both established and newer Parkfield researchers.
17:00 - 18:30	Dinner & Breakout Session 1: Identifying Grand Challenges Small‑group discussions focused on synthesizing ideas from Day 1 and identifying major scientific challenges and opportunities for Parkfield research. Breakouts emphasize interdisciplinary perspectives and community‑driven prioritization.

June 11, 2026

Time	Agenda Item
07:00 - 08:30	Breakfast & Poster Session 2 A second poster session highlighting additional contributions and continued discussion in an informal setting.
08:30 - 10:00	Session 4: Geodesy and Earthquake Cycles This session explores geodetic observations and models of the earthquake cycle at Parkfield, from interseismic deformation to coseismic and postseismic processes. Presentations and discussion focus on linking surface observations to fault‑zone processes at depth.
10:00 - 10:30	Poster Session 3 (and coffee/tea hosted by SCEC) Final opportunity to view posters and engage in informal scientific discussions.
10:30 - 12:00	Session 5: Critical Research Needs and Opportunities A forward‑looking session focused on identifying critical research gaps, emerging tools, and opportunities for coordinated community efforts. Talks and discussion emphasize alignment with national priorities and pathways for future collaborative activities centered on Parkfield.
12:00 - 13:00	Lunch
13:00 - 14:30	Breakout Session 2: Developing Community Reports Participants work in breakout groups to synthesize discussions into concise reports outlining key scientific questions, priorities, and recommended community actions.
14:30 - 15:00	Break
15:00 - 16:30	Session 6: Report‑Back and Wrap‑Up Discussion Breakout groups present their findings, followed by a group discussion to integrate results into a shared vision for the future of Parkfield science.
16:30	Workshop adjourns
16:30 - 17:00	Meeting of the Workshop Organizing Committee

SCEC Activities Code of Conduct

The Statewide California Earthquake Center (SCEC) fosters a diverse and inclusive community where everyone feels safe, productive, and welcome. We expect all participants in SCEC-supported events to uphold this commitment by adhering to the SCEC Activities Code of Conduct.

SCEC Meetings and Workshops

The SCEC Annual Meeting brings together 400-500 participants worldwide to share breakthroughs, assess progress, and chart a collaborative path for earthquake science. All of the Center activities are presented, analyzed, and woven into a set of priorities for SCEC to pursue in the future.