Welcome to the Oregon Hazards Lab
Using Science, Technology, and Community Engagement to Understand, Detect, and Mitigate Multi-Hazards within the Pacific Northwest
223+
Seismic Monitoring Stations
63+
Wildfire Detection Cameras
$22M+
Funding Since 2020
2018
Year OHAZ Was Founded
28
OHAZ Staff
8
Student Researchers
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 monitor 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 a partnership with the Department of Homeland Security, we deployed 30 smoke sensors across Western Oregon in 2023 and tested 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.
News from the Oregon Hazards Lab
Eyes on the Landscape: Oregonians and Forest Fires
The Oregon Hazards Lab runs hundreds of mountaintop cameras that provide firefighters with a new way to spot and track wildfires. In a new video from the University Communications, lab director Doug Toomey and fire officials explain the role of the camera network in early detection and management of wildfires. Video and photos by Chris Larsen.
New Tools for Cities: UO’s Wildfire Camera Network Continues to Grow
As wildfires increasingly threaten urban and suburban areas, cities are on the front lines of community protection. OHAZ’s partnerships with local governments enhance the ability of fire
departments, emergency management teams, and other stakeholders to detect and manage fires near residential areas before they grow out of control.
Oregon Hazards Lab Newsletter – November 2024
The quarterly Oregon Hazards Lab newsletter has arrived. The November 2024 edition recaps summer field work, the impacts of wildfire cameras during fire season, the buildout of the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network, and our partnership with the Rogue Valley Council of Governments.