Earthquake Spectra Showcase Webinar: August 2026 Issue Highlights

Value of the Information & Strength of the Argument

The webinar provides valuable insights into cutting-edge research in earthquake engineering. Andrew Makdisi’s presentation offers a comprehensive rationale for updating liquefaction design provisions, backed by extensive probabilistic analysis and a multi-model approach. His argumentation is solid, clearly explaining the limitations of current practice and the methodological steps taken to derive a more consistent design standard. The inclusion of multiple soil conditions and sites strengthens the validity of the proposed criteria. Iunio Iervolino’s talk offers a reflective analysis of a 20-year-old seismic hazard model, providing historical context and evaluating its successes and shortcomings. Both presentations are well-argued, with clear explanations of complex methodologies and their practical implications. The value of the information is high, as it presents novel contributions to seismic engineering practice.

Scientific Rigor, Source Quality, Title Accuracy

The scientific rigor is high, as the webinar is based on peer-reviewed papers published in Earthquake Spectra, a reputable journal. The speakers are recognized experts with affiliations to USGS and leading universities, ensuring credibility. The sources cited are their own works, but they also reference prior studies (implied) and historical models. The presentation style adheres to academic standards, with transparent discussion of uncertainties and limitations. The title ‘Earthquake Spectra Showcase Webinar: August 2026 Issue Highlights’ precisely matches the content, which indeed highlights two papers from that issue. No external sources beyond the presented papers are explicitly cited in the video, but the methodological rigor and peer-review nature of the work contribute to overall reliability.

The title accurately reflects the content, as the webinar indeed showcases highlights from the August 2026 issue of Earthquake Spectra.

8/10

The webinar presents peer-reviewed research from the journal Earthquake Spectra, featuring two expert presentations with detailed methodological explanations. The content is technical, well-structured, and transparently discusses limitations and uncertainties, indicating high reliability.

Markers derived by PSI from the transcript: the creator did not define chapters.

• 00:00Introduction by Olivia Van Buskerk, program coordinator at EERI, and overview of the webinar series.
• 02:00Carlos Molina Hutt introduces the first speaker, Andrew Makdisi, and his paper on liquefaction-targeted design.
• 05:00Andrew Makdisi explains soil liquefaction and conventional deterministic liquefaction hazard analysis methods.
• 15:00Presentation of the methodology for developing the liquefaction-targeted MCE and PGA, including probabilistic hazard analysis.
• 25:00Andrew concludes with results showing reduced variability in liquefaction design levels and highlights the adoption into NEHRP provisions.
• 27:00Carlos introduces second speaker Iunio Iervolino, who begins discussing the 2004 Italian seismic hazard model.
• 40:00Iervolino evaluates the 2004 model's performance over 20 years, discussing its scientific and practical impact.
• 55:00Q&A session begins; speakers address audience questions regarding the papers and broader seismic hazard themes.

• Development of Liquefaction-Targeted Design Basis in U.S. Seismic Provisions — Paper presented by Andrew Makdisi in this webinar; part of the August 2026 issue of Earthquake Spectra.
• The 2004 Italian Seismic Hazard Model: Twenty Years On — Paper presented by Iunio Iervolino in this webinar; part of the August 2026 issue of Earthquake Spectra.