About CRESCENT

Mission Statement

The Cascadia Region Earthquake Science Center

In 2023, the National Science Foundation awarded $15 million dollars to establish the Cascadia Region Earthquake Science Center, CRESCENT. CRESCENT is the nation’s first subduction zone earthquake hazards center — a nexus for earthquake science and hazards research. CRESCENT has three overarching goals:

To develop a better foundational understanding of Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquakes and their associated hazards and to transfer this knowledge to other subduction zones
To promote diversity and to train the next-generation of geoscientists to address the challenges presented by our dynamic planet
To provide a systematic approach to collaboration between researchers in academia and those in agencies that have mandates to produce hazard information that stakeholders, practitioners, and the public at large can trust and use

Please join us as we establish a new paradigm of collaborative Earth science research for societal good.

Welcome Letter from Our Director

Major Activity

CRESCENT pillars

Three tenets comprise CRESCENTs core mission: advancing basic and applied science, geoscience education and training, and partnerships and applications of the science. First, the Cascadia Subduction Zone is a natural laboratory that is well positioned for significant scientific discoveries that will further understanding of subduction zone processes. Second, progress on the scientific challenges requires a concerted effort to prepare and diversify the next generation workforce. Finally, the goal of hazard research is to support the public good. Scientific discovery must be translated and delivered to communities and stakeholders in a meaningful and actionable way. The three committees below ensure progress on each of these fronts.

Foundational Science and Research Activities

CRESCENT science, research, and discovery activities.

Geoscience Education and
Inclusion

CRESCENT education and outreach activities

Partnerships and Applications

Facilitates community partnerships and research applications

Organization

CRESCENT Governance

Effective governance is essential for CRESCENT to achieve its ambitious goals of advancing fundamental research on earthquake hazards science, contributing to the diversification and preparation of the future geoscience workforce, and translating research to practice and policy through community engagement.

CRESCENT STRATEGIC PLAN – March 2024

CRESCENT PROJECT MANAGEMENT PLAN – JANuary 2024