# Assembly and Validation of a Multi-scale Community Velocity Model (CVM) for the South-central Alaska Region, SCAR-CVM V1.0

> **NSF 01002526DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT** · San Diego State University Foundation (CA) · $222,338

## Abstract

Eleven percent of the world's recorded earthquakes occur in Alaska, with many notable historical events including the 1964 M9.2 Alaska earthquake, the second largest earthquake ever recorded, as well as the 2018 M7.1 Anchorage earthquake. Earthquake hazards in south-central Alaska are a serious concern because the area includes the city of Anchorage where more than a third (~280,000 people) of the state’s population live. To facilitate estimating seismic hazard for the region from future large earthquakes, this project will assemble the first version of a multi-scale three-dimensional Community Velocity Model (CVM) of the subsurface of south-central Alaska. The CVM will be built with existing model components, calibrating its parameters by comparison of simulated and recorded waveforms for small local earthquakes. The CVM will be freely available to local agencies, scientists, and communities, bridging advanced modeling with practical applications such as assessing the seismic hazard to critical infrastructure in this region. The project will train a graduate student in seismic wave propagation simulation, fostering the next generation of geoscientists.

The researchers plan to assemble and distribute the first version of a multi-scale Community Velocity Model (CVM) for the south-central Alaska Region, SCAR-CVM V1.0, from existing model features. The accuracy of such a CVM is fundamental to estimates of ground motions for seismic hazard analysis using physics-based wave pr

## Key facts

- **NSF award ID:** 2523957
- **Awardee organization:** San Diego State University Foundation (CA)
- **SAM.gov UEI:** H59JKGFZKHL7
- **PI:** Kim B Olsen
- **Primary program:** 01002526DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT
- **All programs:** NATIONL EARTHQK HZRD REDCT PRG
- **Estimated total:** $222,338
- **Funds obligated:** $222,338
- **Transaction type:** Standard Grant
- **Period:** 09/01/2025 → 08/31/2027

## Primary source

NSF Award Search: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2523957

## Citation

> US National Science Foundation, Award 2523957, Assembly and Validation of a Multi-scale Community Velocity Model (CVM) for the South-central Alaska Region, SCAR-CVM V1.0. Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-06 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nsf/2523957. Licensed CC0.

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