Cooperative Ecoystem Studies Unit, Great Basin CESU

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U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Western Geographic Science Center (WGSC) is offering a funding opportunity to a CESU partner to fund research contributing to improved methods for modeling primary evacuation-route corridors, hotspots, and potential landscape constraints for areas in tsunami-hazard zones with high population densities. To improve tsunami-evacuation planning, managers would benefit from information on potential landscape constraints related to evacuation corridors. Research is needed that focuses on identifying and mapping primary evacuation corridors for at-risk populations from northern California to Washington that leverages existing USGS evacuation modeling efforts in the region. Modeling results will be integrated with demographic and economic data to characterize population demand for various evacuation corridors. Potential landscape improvements (e.g., bridges or vegetation control) will also be factored into modeling efforts. Spatially-explicit information that characterizes evacuation corridors and potential landscape constraints would further existing collaborations between the U.S. Geological Survey and State emergency management agencies to improve knowledge of tsunami evacuation issues. This information would be an essential component of supporting effective local, State, and Federal tsunami preparedness and response strategies.

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