USGS Congressional Briefing on Earthquakes May 12, 2006

[Clarice E Ransom <cransom@xxxxxxxx>]

Media Advisory
U.S. Department of the Interior
U.S. Geological Survey
Contact: Beth Stettner, 703,
648-5928, eastettner@xxxxxxxx

Release Date: May 3, 2006
        
Earthquake Science – A Sure
Bet for a Safer Nation

Earthquakes are one of the most
costly natural hazards facing the nation, posing risk to 75 million people
in 39 states. In an effort to save lives and property, the U.S. Geological
Survey (USGS) and its partners are building the Advanced National Seismic
System to deliver rapid, robust earthquake information to all U.S. cities
with significant seismic risk. 

“Over the last hundred years,
we’ve made amazing technological advances to prevent damage from earthquakes,”
said U.S. Senator Jim DeMint, chairman of the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee’s
Disaster Prevention and Prediction Subcommittee. “Yet, despite our best
efforts, major shaking in an urban area would cause significant destruction.”


Come hear how USGS and its partners
are working together to meet the challenge of reducing America’s earthquake
risk.

What:      
 The USGS will host a congressional briefing about efforts
to detect, monitor, and prepare for earthquakes nationwide. 

Who:      
       David Applegate, Earthquake Hazards
Program, U.S. Geological Survey
Lloyd Cluff, Geosciences Department,
Pacific Gas and Electric Company
Ellis Stanley, Emergency Preparedness
Department, City of Los Angeles
        
Where:      
         Room 2325 Rayburn
House Office Building        
         
              Washington,
DC

When:        
       10 a.m. – 11 a.m.
        Friday,
May 12, 2006

Sponsors:    
           U.S. Senator Jim
DeMint
         
              U.S. Representative
Jane Harman
         
              U.S. Representative
Zoe Lofgren
        U.S.
Representative James P. Moran

Host:      
         National Earthquake Hazards
Reduction Program Coalition
         
               
      
For more information, log onto
www.usgs.gov/solutions.

The USGS serves the nation by providing
reliable scientific information to describe and understand the Earth; minimize
loss of life and property from natural disasters; manage water, biological,
energy, and mineral resources; and enhance and protect our quality of life.
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