W26 GIRS Seminars: Earthquake Ground-Motion Characterization: From Global Shaking to Hawaiian Quakes
/When: Friday, February 13, 2026
Time: 1:00pm PT
Where: (In-Person) UCLA Engineering 6 BLDG, Rm 580B and ZOOM
Tristan Buckreis
headshot of Tristan buckreis
Abstract: Earthquake ground-motion characterization is the process of quantifying seismic demands by predicting ground shaking at a site during a seismic event in a manner that is useful for the analysis and design of structures. These demands are typically represented through ground-motion models (GMMs) that relate input parameters such as earthquake magnitude, distance to the rupture, and site conditions to intensity measures like peak ground acceleration and pseudo-spectral response spectra, which form the core inputs to probabilistic seismic hazard analyses and code-based design spectra. This presentation will provide a look into what is involved in developing GMMs at global, regional, and sub-regional scales. Particular emphasis will be placed on the curation of empirical ground-motion databases and data-driven methods that are used throughout the model building process. These elements are cornerstones of Next Generation Attenuation (NGA) projects, which have produced some of the most widely used GMMs across the globe. This presentation will conclude by summarizing the current state of GMMs and seismic hazard analysis in Hawaii and by outlining future directions for advancing GMMs to better support earthquake-resilient performance in Hawaii.
Short Bio: Dr. Tristan Buckreis is a postdoctoral scholar in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), working in areas closely related to geotechnical earthquake engineering and engineering seismology. His research utilizes empirical data and leverages data-driven methods to address research questions relevant to practicing engineers. His research interests include earthquake ground-motion characterization, regional modeling of path and site effects, and the development and management of relational databases. He earned his Ph.D. and M.S. degrees in Civil Engineering with a concentration in geotechnical engineering from UCLA and his B.S. in Civil Engineering from California State University, Long Beach.
