Press Clips Archive

First earthquake, then fire: UC San Diego researchers test steel building

KPBS | July 17, 2025

Smoke billowed out of a steel-framed building off Pomerado Road Thursday morning. It was part of research by UC San Diego and California Polytechnic State University on how fire spreads through earthquake-damaged steel buildings. Full Story

Shake and Bake: Scientists study earthquakes and burning buildings in Scripps Ranch

NBC San Diego | July 17, 2025

UC San Diego?s shake table was used by Cal Poly SLO researchers Thursday to start a fire to examine how it would act burning specific materials during a quake, reports NBC 7?s Joe Little. Full Story

Smoke from experimental fire in Scripps Ranch will be visible over I-15 and I-805 today

San Diego Union Tribune | July 17, 2025

C San Diego will set part of a 10-story building in Scripps Ranch on fire at 10 a.m. Thursday to help researchers find better ways to make such structures more fire resistant. The university said the fire, which will occur on the ninth floor, is likely to produce smoke that will be visible along Interstates 15 and 805. Full Story

Researchers simulate earthquakes on 10-storey building in California

Reuters | June 24, 2025

Researchers from UC San Diego on Monday (June 23) carried out tests on a 10-storey building with its own built-in earthquake, to test its structural integrity. The building is positioned on machinery that can precisely emulate seismic activity, the only outdoor facility of its kind in the world, and the only simulator capable of testing a building of this height. Full Story

Researchers at UCSD test a 10-story building on earthquake simulator

USA Today | June 24, 2025

Researchers at UC San Diego simulated a 6.9 earthquake to see if this 10-story building would hold its integrity. Full Story