
Photo Sourced from Getty Images/Gabriel Aponte
When a powerful earthquake struck western Colombia on August 10, 2026, communities faced widespread destruction and loss of life. Following the earthquake, Professor Jonathan Stewart, holder of the Sabol-Scott Term Chair in Civil and Environmental Engineering, provided expert analysis on the earthquake and its impacts.
With expertise in geotechnical earthquake engineering and engineering seismology, Prof. Stewart was interviewed by NBC and CBS Los Angeles to help viewers understand the science behind the event, the potential impacts of strong ground motion, and the challenges earthquakes pose to buildings and infrastructure.
Prof Stewart’s research focuses on earthquake ground motions, seismic hazards, and the performance of buildings and infrastructure during earthquakes. His work contributes to a broader understanding of how communities can better prepare for and reduce the impacts of future earthquakes. His appearance underscores the important role of UCLA CEE faculty in bringing engineering expertise to the public during times of crisis.
Watch Prof. Stewart’s interview with NBC and CBS Los Angeles below.