NEHRP at 50 and the Future of U.S. Earthquake Science Mitigation

The National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP) will be marking its 50th anniversary in 2027—a milestone that highlights collaboration among scientists, engineers, policymakers and emergency managers working to reduce earthquake risk in the United States.
 
NEHRP has advanced the nation’s understanding of earthquake hazards through coordinated research and innovation led by federal partners including the U.S. Geological Survey, National Science Foundation, FEMA and the National Institute of Standards and Technology. Since its establishment by Congress in 1977, Congress has periodically reviewed and reauthorized the program.
 
Over the past half-century, NEHRP has transformed our understanding of earthquakes and how society prepares for them. Through collaboration among federal agencies and stakeholder partners, the program has advanced seismic monitoring networks, strengthened building codes, improved hazard maps, and expanded interdisciplinary research that informs policy and public safety. More recently, breakthroughs like ShakeAlert, expanded real-time seismic monitoring, and interdisciplinary hazard research are transforming how society prepares for earthquakes.

This special session will review NEHRP’s accomplishments and discuss the future of the program, answering questions such as:

• What has worked well in the NEHRP model?
• What are NEHRP’s current priorities given recent budget constraints?
• What are the funding opportunities within NEHRP for earthquake scientists?
• What emerging technologies are going to be important to NEHRP’s research goals?
• How do we design a new NEHRP for the next 50 years?
• How can researchers support the reauthorization of NEHRP?

Speakers include Gregory Beroza of Stanford University, who will deliver a keynote address, and SSA Past President Heather DeShon, who will chair the forum discussion.
 
Join colleagues from across the earthquake science community to reflect on NEHRP’s legacy and help imagine the future of earthquake mitigation in the U.S.