Issues

In a previous issue of Seismological Research Letters Paul Silver raised the question: “Why is earthquake prediction so difficult?” What makes the earthquake hazard so different from other natural hazards which are more susceptible to prediction efforts? While Paul raises valid arguments, I remain unconvinced that yet another multimillion dollar program is the solution to the problem. The fault may not lie in our lack of data, our inability to conceptualize the problem, nor in the lack of funds for whatever program may be preferred. I believe we need to refocus on the common goal of making earthquake prediction and forecasting a practical means to promote public safety.

Is this an obtainable goal? It has been in other fields, such as forecasting of weather, effects from solar storms, and to some extent volcanic and tsunami hazards. The history of how it came to be so in each of these fields...

INTRODUCTION

In September 1995, a system of three continuously operating GPS receivers was deployed to monitor the displacements of Pacoima Dam relative to a stable station nearby at Fire Camp 9 (2.5 km away). The dam has been monitored in near real-time for over two years through a joint effort of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the County of Los Angeles, making use of the network infrastructure of the Southern California Integrated GPS Network (SCIGN). This study demonstrates the feasibility of effective and timely monitoring of engineered structures using the Global Positioning System (GPS).

In much the same way that strong-motion seismic recording instruments have made essential contributions to engineers' understanding of structural response to earthquake shaking, precise measurements of a structure's static displacements can indicate subtle damage that could be of concern for public safety. Conventional surveying methods have been used in the past to monitor static displacements...

INTRODUCTION

After the Kobe (Hyogoken-nanbu) earthquake of 1995, the Japanese government decided as an action plan in 1995 to increase the density of strong-motion observation stations, to upgrade the observation network, and to release future strong-motion records as soon as possible. The National Research Institute for Earth Science and Disaster Prevention (NIED) of the Science and Technology Agency was given the responsibility to implement the program.

Kyoshin Net (K-NET) is a product yielded from this one-year program. The word Kyoshin stands for strong (Kyo) quake (shin). The K-NET is a system which transmits strong-motion data on the Internet, data which are obtained from 1,000 observatories deployed all over Japan. The K-NET was constructed on the basis of three policies. (1) The first is to carry out systematic observation. All of the K-NET stations use the same seismograph, K-NET95, and they are all installed at free-field sites. (2) The second is...

This report includes hypocenters for seismic events that occurred in September and October 1996 as published in the Preliminary Determination of Epicenters (PDE) Monthly Listing, U.S. Geological Survey, National Earthquake Information Center. It is limited to three types of events: (1) earthquakes with a magnitude of 6.0 or greater, (2) earthquakes causing substantial damage, and (3) events of special interest.

Time is given in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), unless otherwise specified. Latitude and longitude are given to hundredths of a degree for all locations except for events at the Nevada Test Site, which are given to hundredths of a second of arc. Depths constrained to “normal” (33 km) or other assigned depths are indicated by “constrained.” Depths determined from depth phases are marked “depth phases.” Reports followed by (GS) are taken from the PDE Monthly Listing. All reported intensities correspond to the Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale or other closely related...

We are an antiquarian bookstore in Vermont. Several years ago we bought a library from Harriet Doey, the widow of geophysicist Maurice Ewing. Over the years I have looked for some references to these rather esoteric books, but have found only a reference here or there and with no contact. I am trying to find out what these books are worth and who might want them. Following this note is a partial list. Any help, direction, or suggestions would be appreciated.

Coulson, C.A., Waves: A Mathematical Account of the Common Types of Wave Motion, Interscience, NY; 1943, 2nd ed.; 10074; mathematics, waves; Science; Maurice Ewing's copy, his signature and locations on front paste-down. Dr. blue cloth, wear to top and bottom spine, corners, edges, internally VG; Good; None.

Kusakabe, S., On the Modulus of Rigidity of Rocks etc, October, 1902; see description Tokyo, 1903; 1st(?) wraps; 10697; earthquakes; Science; Publications...

TWO GEOSCIENTISTS TO SHARE CRAFOORD PRIZE

Seismologists at the California Institute of Technology and at Harvard University have won this year's Crafoord Prize, which is awarded by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences for disciplines not covered by the Nobel Prizes.

Don L. Anderson, of Caltech, and SSA member Adam M. Dziewonski, of Harvard, will share the $500,000 prize honoring “their fundamental contributions to our knowledge of the structures and processes in the interior of the earth,” the academy announced. The prize will be presented at a ceremony in Stockholm on September 16.

Both scientists have studied the geological processes of earthquakes. Anderson's research has shown how changes in the composition of the earth's mantle can cause tensions in the planet's crust that lead to earthquakes. He also has used seismic data to study convection currents in the mantle that are involved in continental drift and volcanism. Dziewonski has studied...

Joseph W. Berg, Jr. of Falls Church, VA, died in Washington on November 14, 1997 of cardiac arrest. Dr. Berg had been an SSA member since 1953.

Dr. Berg was born in Essington, PA, but spent many of his early years residing in Savannah, Georgia. He finished Savannah High School and Armstrong Junior College before serving in the U.S. Army Air Corps as a meteorologist. After the end of World War II, he continued his education at the University of Georgia, where he received his B.S. in Mathematics and Physics in 1947. He then taught at Armstrong College for one year before going to Penn State, where he received his M.S. and Ph.D. in Geophysics in 1952 and 1954, respectively.

After graduation from Penn State, he held academic positions teaching geophysics at the University of Tulsa, 1954–1955; the University of Utah, 1955–1960; and Oregon State University, 1961–1966. He mentored approximately...

Ross R. Heinrich, an SSA member since 1937, passed away on December 18, 1977 in St. Louis, Missouri, where he had been a lifelong resident.

Dr. Heinrich received his A.B. degree from the University of Missouri in Geology and Chemistry in 1936, and his M.S. and Ph.D. degrees from St. Louis University in Geophysics in 1938 and 1944. He became an assistant professor at St. Louis University in 1945 and a full professor in 1951. He served as Director of the Department of Geophysics and Geophysical Engineering from 1956–1963. He was Acting Dean of the School of Engineering and Earth Science from 1968–1971. He served as Chairman of the Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences from 1975–1980. In 1981 he became a Professor Emeritus of Geophysics.

His activities involved teaching and coordination of research in earth and atmospheric sciences carried out in the department. His special field of research was...

“Could it happen here?” All seismologists are asked this question, sometimes when they least expect it. If you happen to be the village seismologist, then you acquire some experience in answering this question after a newsworthy earthquake somewhere in the world. But no seismologist is safe. You might be a student, or an exploration seismologist, or a retired earthquake engineer, but casual conversations at the store, at a party, at a carwash, or—my favorite—at family gatherings provide lots of opportunities for someone to ask the question. For those readers who thought that I was going to provide a simple, direct, and universal answer to this question—sorry. Instead, I want to emphasize a particular aspect of the situation posed by this question: all seismologists have opportunities to educate others about seismology and science.

Earthquakes are fascinating natural phenomena that stimulate the curiosity and imagination of nearly all people of all ages...

The 93rd Annual Meeting of the Seismological Society of America was held on March 16-18, 1998, at the University Memorial Center (UMC) at the University of Colorado at Boulder. The meeting was cohosted by the University of Colorado at Boulder and the United States Geological Survey; Anne Sheehan and Kaye Shedlock served as cochairs. Approximately 180 papers and posters, divided into 16 technical sessions, were presented during the three-day meeting, which drew 257 participants. In addition to the technical sessions, there was a special meeting of the Council of the National Seismic System. Three book publishers and eight private sector or government agencies exhibited products.

The meeting began with a full-day SSA Board of Directors meeting in the new Benson Earth Sciences Building on Sunday, March 15. Board members and guests enjoyed beautiful views of the flatirons from the balcony of the Earth Sciences conference room, and they thanked cohost...

Fred E. Followill, of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, was honored at the SSA Annual Meeting for his long service to the Society as Treasurer. Followill was first elected Treasurer in 1984 and served until May 1, 1998. During his fourteen years in the position, Followill oversaw a major improvement in the Society's financial position. Among his achievements, he urged the Board of Directors to establish a policy of building a reserve fund and to budget for regular contributions to reserves. As a result the Society is now financially stable and has the resources to undertake electronic publishing development.

David von Seggern of the University of Nevada, Reno, was elected Treasurer of the Society at the Society's annual Board meeting with a term to begin May 1, 1998. Von Seggern serves as Seismic Network Manager for the DOE contract to the UNR Seismological Laboratory for seismic studies at Yucca Mountain, Nevada....

It is my great pleasure to present to you Lynn Sykes, the recipient of the Seismological Society of America Medal for 1997.

I would like to begin on a personal note. Lynn was the primary reason for my going to Lamont-Doherty many years ago. I was interested in being in a place where seismologists were actively involved in the study of earthquakes so that I could learn what they knew without having to become a seismologist myself. Lynn Sykes, as mentor and long-term colleague, played that role for me. Over the years I have learned many things from him, for which I am deeply grateful.

Lynn Sykes is mainly known for the leading role he has played in the development of the field of seismotectonics: the study of earthquakes both as an element and as a diagnostic tool in tectonics. He was in on the ground floor of the plate...

Mark your calendars!

The 94th Annual Meeting of the Seismological Society of America Hosted by the University of Washington

May 3-5, 1999 (Monday-Wednesday)

Seattle Center, Northwest Rooms Seattle, Washington...

In late 1997, the Society surveyed its members about several important publishing issues, chiefly potential electronic publishing initiatives. There were 433 responses to the Publishing Survey. Many respondents included thoughtful notes and comments with their responses. The Publications Committee and the Board of Directors have already found the results of the survey useful in making plans for the future.

SUMMARY OF THE RESULTS

The following were rated as very important (in the order listed):

1. Peer review standards must be maintained.

2. Members should be able to search by title, author, abstract, and keywords.

3. Publication quality should not suffer (composition, copyediting, etc.).

4. Printed volumes should continue to be produced.

5. Articles should be printable on a local laser printer.

6. Full text should be searchable by field (author=, title=).

7. Results should be disseminated faster.

8. Acceptance-to-publication time should be reduced. The following were rated as somewhat less...

PAR24B RELEASED

Today's PC A/D applications require ever greater resolution while maintaining low costs and ease of use. The PAR24B Data Acquisition System from Symmetric Research accomplishes both with an innovative design.

Featuring eight independent 24-bit A/D converters, the PAR24B achieves 22-bit true single sample accuracy at a 20 Hz sampling rate, with a maximum sampling rate of 1 kHz. With eight individual A/D subsystems, there are no crosstalk or settling problems as is common with multiplexed systems. With individual A/D channels, system performance is unsurpassed.

Interfaced with standard bidirectional PC parallel ports, the system is ideal for Laptop or Desktop machines when installation of ISA or PCI bus cards are difficult or impossible. Optionally, the parallel port can be run in EPP mode for fast data transfers. Parallel port cable lengths up to 30′ can be used to run the system well separated from the PC if necessary for...

FEMA-310: Evaluation of Existing Buildings

The FEMA publication NEHRP Handbook for Seismic Evaluation of existing buildings (FEMA-178), 1992 has been updated and is now titled Handbook for the Seismic Evaluation of Buildings: A Prestandard (FEMA 310), 1998, approximately 400 pages. Prepared by the ASCE for FEMA, the updated Handbook is intended to instruct design professionals on how to determine if a building is adequately designed and constructed to resist seismic forces. It provides a three-tiered process for seismic evaluation of existing buildings in any region of seismicity and endeavors to reflect advancements in technology and incorporate professional design experience as well as lessons learned from recent earthquakes, including the 1985 Michoacan, Mexico earthquake, the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, the 1994 Northridge earthquake, and the 1995 Kobe, Japan earthquake.

Like the earlier FEMA-178, FEMA-310 guides the user in identifying potential weak links in a building through sets of checklists that are...

Site: Bolger Conference Center, Millersville University Millersville, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania

Dates: Field trip and icebreaker: October 18, 1998 Technical sessions: October 19 and 20

Co-conveners: Charles K. Scharnberger Dept. of Earth Sciences

Millersville University

Anne S. Meltzer

Dept. of Earth and Environmental Sciences Lehigh University

Abstract deadline: September 18, 1998

Papers dealing with all aspects of seismology, seismicity, historical earthquakes, tectonics, seismic hazards, instrumentation, earthquake source studies, induced earthquakes, wave propagation, earth models, earth structure, earthquake engineering, sociological aspects of earthquakes, emergency management, public information and education about earthquakes are cordially invited, especially those with applications to eastern North America.

Tentative Theme Sessions

Seismicity Associated with Continental Rifts

Current Status of Networks

Induced Seismieity

Crustal Structure and Tectonics

Building Codes, Earthquake Engineering, and Insurance

Earthquake Hazard and Emergency Management

Field Trip, Sunday, Oct. 18: A Geologic Sampler in the Vicinity of the Lancaster Seismic Zone

Housing: Blocks of rooms are...

1998

July 19–23. Structural Engineers World Congress (SEWC '98), San Francisco, CA, USA.

Sponsored jointly by the Structural Engineering Institute of the American Society of Civil Engineers, the Structural Engineers Association of California, the National Council of Structural Engineers Associations, the American Concrete Institute, the Japan Structural Consultants Association, and others. This is the first international conference dedicated to the art, science, and practice of structural engineering. SEWC '98 Registration Manager, P.O. Box 3564, Reston, VA 20191; telephone (888) 895-1872 or (703) 295-6300; fax (703) 295-6144; e-mail [email protected].

July 21-25. Western Pacific Geophysics, Taipei, Taiwan.

Sponsored by American Geophysical Union. AGU Meetings Department, AGU, 2000 NW Florida Avenue, Washington, DC 20009; telephone (202) 462-6900 or (800) 966-2481; fax (202) 328-0566; e-mail [email protected]; URL http://www.agu.org.

August 3–6. ASCE 1998 Specialty Conference on Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering and Soil Dynamics, Seattle, Washington, USA.

Professor Panos Dakoulas, Publications Committee Chairman, Civil Engineering Department, MS...