Welcome to the Oregon Hazards Lab
Using Science, Technology, and Community Engagement to Understand, Detect, and Mitigate Multi-Hazards within the Pacific Northwest
The Oregon Hazards Lab is a research lab within the University of Oregon's Department of Earth Sciences. We currently partner in these efforts:
Pacific Northwest Seismic Network
Along with the U.S. Geological Survey and the University of Washington, we monitoring ground motion to better understand earthquake and volcano hazards and their impacts on communities in Oregon and Washington.
ShakeAlert® Earthquake Early Warning System
Since 2014, the Oregon Hazards Lab has been an instrumental partner in building and promoting the U.S. Geological Survey’s earthquake early warning system.
Wildfire Detection Cameras
With hundreds of mountaintop cameras installed throughout the western United States, this high-speed wildfire detection network provides firefighters and first responders a new way to spot and track wildfires.
Wildfire Smoke Sensors
As part of our partnership with the Department of Homeland Security, we are deploying 30 smoke sensors across Western Oregon and testing their effectiveness at detecting emerging wildfires.
Sage Continuum
We are building a continent-spanning network of smart sensors to improve the flow of information between scientists and the natural world.
Willamette Watershed Project
The Oregon Hazards Lab is developing resilient communications infrastructure for the Santiam, Sisters, and McKenzie River corridors that will support a natural disaster monitoring and alerting network.
219
ShakeAlert Seismic Stations
54
Wildfire Detection Cameras
30
Wildfire Smoke Sensors
2018
Year OHAZ Was Founded
24
Full-Time Staff
7
Student Researchers
ShakeOut, Don't Freak Out!
The Great Oregon ShakeOut is on Thursday, October 17
The Great Oregon ShakeOut is an annual opportunity to practice what you will do during the next big earthquake. It happens on the third Thursday of October every year. In 2024, ShakeOut will occur on Thursday, October 17 at 10:17 am. Wherever you are, you should DROP, COVER, and HOLD ON as if there were an earthquake occurring at that very moment.
News from the Oregon Hazards Lab
ShakeOut Events at University of Oregon Provide Opportunities to Prepare for the “Big One”
The University of Oregon will participate in the annual Great Oregon ShakeOut on Thursday, Oct. 17, and is recommending all employees and students take part in the earthquake safety drill at 2:17 p.m. Safety and Risk Services, the Cascadia Region Earthquake Science Center and the Oregon Hazards Lab are also hosting two events to raise awareness of earthquake science and preparedness.
Get Ready for the Big One! What You Need to Know About Earthquake Preparedness
Learn about the risks posed by earthquakes and what you can do to prepare for it. This training will teach about earthquakes on the Cascadia Subduction Zone, what kind of damage to expect, and what steps individuals can take to be more prepared on campus and at home. It will include a brief earthquake drill as part of the Great Oregon ShakeOut.
Quake Questions Answered: Building our Community’s Resilience
Join seismologists, emergency managers, and researchers to find out how Oregon is preparing for the Big One. Scientists from the Cascadia Research Earthquake Science Center and experts from the Oregon Hazards Lab will discuss what we know now, what we expect to learn, and what you can do to be prepared. This free event will be at the Museum of Natural and Cultural History on October 17 from 6:30-8pm.