New book on Ancient Earthquakes

Geological Society of America
Ancient Earthquakes
Editors: Manuel Sintubin, Iain S. Stewart, Tina M. Niemi, Erhan Altunel
2010, 280 p., $85
ISBN 9780813724713

Ancient earthquakes are pre-instrumental earthquakes that can only be identified through indirect evidence in the archaeological (archaeoseismology) and geological (palaeoseismology) record. Special Paper 471 includes a selection of cases convincingly illustrating the different ways the archaeological record is used in earthquake studies. The first series of papers focuses on the relationship between human prehistory and tectonically active environments, and on the wide range of societal responses to historically known earthquakes. The bulk of papers concerns archaeoseismology, showing the diversity of approaches, the wide range of disciplines involved, and its potential to contribute to a better understanding of earthquake history. Ancient Earthquakes will be of interest to the broad community of earth scientists, seismologists, historians, and archaeologists active in and around archaeological sites in the many regions around the world threatened by seismic hazards. This Special Paper frames in the International Geoscience Programme IGCP 567 “Earthquake Archaeology: Archaeoseismology along the Alpine-Himalayan Seismic Zone.”

Congressional hearing on reducing earthquake risk

Congressional Briefing -- Citizen Science and Earthquakes: Reducing the Risk Through the Power of People

Released: 5/12/2010 1:19:54 PM
Contact Information:
U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey
Office of Communication
119 National Center
Reston, VA 20192 Clarice Nassif Ransom 1-click interview
Phone: 703-648-4299
Clarice Ransom: cransom@usgs.gov

In the United States, 1 in 4 people live with the risk of earthquakes. The U.S. Geological Survey and its partners are designing innovative tools to better detect earthquakes and share critical information. The involvement of citizens is key, as decisions made before and immediately after an earthquake can save lives and protect property.

What: The USGS will host a congressional briefing on how innovative tools combined with citizen involvement can help save lives and minimize economic losses from earthquakes.

Who: Jack Hayes, Director, National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (emcee)
David Wald, U.S. Geological Survey
John Hooper, Director of Earthquake Engineering at Magnusson Klemencic Associates
Mark Benthien, Southern California Earthquake Center

Where: 1334 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, D.C

When: Friday, May 21, 2010
10 a.m.