89 Advancing Earthquake Geology and Surficial Deformation from Geologic Provinces to Political Entities through Multidisciplinary High-Resolution Data

Understanding earthquakes and surface deformation requires integrating geologic, geophysical, and remote sensing data. This session welcomes research using diverse methods—paleoseismology, LiDAR, structure-from-motion photogrammetry, geochronology, and analog modeling to refine fault behavior, rupture dynamics, segmentation, and recurrence from various tectonic settings.

Monday, 20 October 2025
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
HBGCC, 217D

The Next Generation Liquefaction Database: Enhancing Global Earthquake Hazard Models through Collaborative Reconnaissance and Data Curation

Paper number: 89-4
Program: Technical Sessions
Time: 8:55 AM – 9:10 AM

Authors

Abstract

Understanding and mitigating earthquake hazards necessitates comprehensive reconnaissance and data collection. Earthquake case histories are crucial for developing methods to predict geotechnical and geological risks. For over a decade, the Next Generation Liquefaction (NGL) project has developed and populated a global database of liquefaction case histories to support new probabilistic model development. These models are improved when more high-quality data from different event types and magnitudes, geologic settings, and local site characteristics are included. Unfortunately, political boundaries can hinder the collection of case histories in some regions. This presentation will explore the role of collaborative reconnaissance groups and databases in collecting, communicating, and curating earthquake liquefaction data to inform global standards and practices.

 

Reconnaissance reports have historically provided documentation of observations made by field team(s) during a site visit without data publications or a central data repository. More recently, datasets often are published, and the publicly accessible NGL database stores the observations and follow-up site investigation data. The organizational structure of the database also provides guidance on field measurements needed to develop complete datasets.

Following the 2023 M7.8 and M7.5 earthquakes in Türkiye, a collaborative international effort through Geotechnical Extreme Event Reconnaissance (GEER) led to multiple missions and a comprehensive report documenting observations of widespread damage. Several of these case histories are being added to the NGL database. Despite extensive fieldwork in Türkiye, significant barriers prevented similar efforts in Syria, resulting in almost non-existent coverage of Syrian impacts.

 

The 2025 M7.7 Myanmar earthquake reconnaissance faced unique challenges due to political instability and travel bans. A virtual reconnaissance team of multiple international partners synthesized remote sensing data, social media posts, satellite imagery, and official damage figures. The report summarized geotechnical failures and infrastructure damages, but full documentation of liquefaction with on-site measurements is missing.

 

These examples underscore the importance of case history documentation and the difficulties that arise when earthquakes occur where access is restricted, highlighting the need for collaboration and innovation to collect and disseminate essential earthquake data. Longstanding and ongoing international collaborations through organizations such as GEER and NGL can help to overcome complications due to political boundaries. Through these efforts, we improve our ability to predict liquefaction hazards and enhance preparedness across international boundaries.

Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 57, No. 6

doi: 10.1130/abs/2025AM-413000

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