The Ninth International Conference on Seismology and Earthquake Engineering was organized by the International Institute of Earthquake Engineering and Seismology (IIEES), with the aim of presenting the latest scientific and research achievements and sharing successful findings and experiences in the field. The event was held from May 7 to May 9, 2024, at the Milad Tower International Conference Center in Tehran.

Out of 445 submitted papers, 417 were accepted and presented in the form of oral or poster presentations, covering topics in seismology, earthquake engineering (geotechnical and structural), and risk and disaster management. In addition to Iran, researchers from 17 other countries contributed papers to the conference. These countries included China, the United States, Canada, Australia, Italy, Brazil, Japan, France, Sweden, the Czech Republic, the United Kingdom, Spain, Norway, New Zealand, Germany, the UAE, and Syria.

Conference Theme

The main theme of the ninth conference, inspired by recent earthquakes in Turkey and Taiwan, was “Earthquakes and Megacities; With Emphasis on the Tehran Earthquake”, the goal of which was to evaluate the nation’s level of preparedness in relevant fields.

Conference Sub-Themes

Seismology

• Seismotectonics and paleoseismology
• Earthquake monitoring networks and seismic tomography
• AI and deep learning in seismology
• Earthquake source modeling
• Engineering seismology and strong ground motion
• Seismic and tsunami hazard analysis and modeling
• Earthquake/tsunami forecasting, prediction, and early warning systems

Geotechnical Engineering

• Earthquake effects on geotechnical structures (foundations, retaining walls, earth dams, underground structures, etc.)
• Site effects and soil-structure interaction
• Determination of dynamic soil properties through lab and field studies
• Geotechnical hazards (landslides, liquefaction, etc.)
• Near-fault effects on geotechnical structures
• Fault rupture effects on geotechnical infrastructure
• Application of bio-tech and other technologies in seismic soil improvement

Structural Engineering

• Development of codes, standards, guidelines, and manuals
• Smart systems and low-damage resilient systems
• Use of AI in computational methods and software development
• Industrialization, earthquake engineering, and natural disasters triggering technological catastrophes

Risk and Disaster Management

• Multi-hazard risk and resilience
• Integrated disaster risk management
• Risk and resilience modeling systems
• Social and economic effects of earthquakes
• Risk and resilience in vulnerable urban areas
• Planning and needs for recovery and reconstruction

Workshops and Specialized Sessions

Unlike many conferences that mainly consist of academic presentations, SEE9 also featured 16 specialized workshops and expert panels, aiming to address and propose solutions to current national issues in seismology and earthquake engineering, aligned with the latest global research. Key workshop topics included:

• Construction in fault zones
• Seismic assessment and retrofitting of cultural heritage
• Assessment and strengthening methods for earthquake-damaged buildings
• Structural health monitoring
• Characteristics of earthquakes in different regions of the country
• Design of resilient buildings
• Role of insurance and risk studies in reducing national vulnerability
• Social aid, debris removal, and crisis management after earthquakes
• Implementation of seismic codes and standards for oil facilities
• Developing a national agenda for earthquake-related challenges (identifying research priorities to solve national issues)
• Formulation of standards and regulations related to earthquakes

Exhibition

A specialized side exhibition was held alongside the conference, featuring 20 companies active in the field. The exhibition covered an area of approximately 450 square meters, providing a dynamic platform for interaction. During the exhibition, discussion sessions with exhibitors further enriched the conference discourse.

Media Coverage

The strong media presence throughout the conference ensured that its key messages were successfully communicated to various layers of society.