2026 SCEC/USGS GM-SVU Workshop Report

Sanaz Rezaeian, Nicolas Luco, Ahmed E. Elbanna, & Tran T. Huynh

Published August 2026, SCEC Contribution #15672

Simulated earthquake ground motions are useful in engineering applications, from developing ground motion models to improving seismic hazard assessments and performing structural response analyses. Various simulation approaches—including stochastic, physics-based, and hybrid methods—offer unique strengths depending on the intended application. Broader use depends not only on producing realistic waveforms, but also on validating simulations for their intended applications and providing the evidence, uncertainty information, and guidance needed to use them responsibly.

Over the past two decades, major advances have refined ground motion simulations, and coordinated efforts led by the Southern California Earthquake Center (SCEC) have helped bridge the gap between simulation developers and engineering practitioners. Building on this foundation, the Statewide California Earthquake Center and the U.S. Geological Survey convened the 2026 Workshop on Earthquake Ground Motion Simulation Validation and Utilization (GM-SVU) for Engineering Applications during the 13th National Conference on Earthquake Engineering (13NCEE) in Portland, Oregon. The workshop brought together researchers and professionals from earthquake science and engineering to examine two closely related challenges: (1) validating simulated ground motions for use in probabilistic seismic hazard analyses and (2) advancing their broader utilization through engineering guidance and best practices. These efforts are critical for building confidence in simulations and supporting their effective integration into seismic hazard analysis, engineering design, and risk mitigation. The discussions emphasized that “application-ready” cannot be defined by a single universal validation test: PSHA and engineering response analyses use simulations differently and therefore require different evidence.

The workshop featured invited presentations, community discussions, and a panel session on advances in ground motion simulation validation, SCEC simulation capabilities, engineering applications, and future GM-SVU priorities. Building on decades of community earthquake modeling and validated simulation resources, participants examined scientific, engineering, and community priorities needed to advance the validation, accessibility, and broader utilization of ground motion simulations. Panel recommendations focused on matching validation evidence to the intended use, evaluating the complete model configuration and its uncertainties, and delivering simulations with the metadata, model inputs, validation information, and practical guidance needed by downstream users.

A complementary community survey provided additional perspectives from researchers and practitioners to help guide future GM-SVU activities. The survey reinforced the need for engineering guidance, application-specific validation, uncertainty communication, training, and shared community resources.

Citation
Rezaeian, S., Luco, N., Elbanna, A. E., & Huynh, T. T. (2026). 2026 SCEC/USGS GM-SVU Workshop Report. , : Statewide California Earthquake Center. https://www.scec.org/events/2026-scec-gm-svu-workshop/