News and Announcements
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Index
- 5 Million People Getting Ready to ShakeOut! (07 Nov 2008)
- Call for Papers: BSSA Special Issue on the 2008 Wenchuan Earthquake (20 Oct 2008)
- AGI Publishes Transition Document for Next U.S. Administration (10 Oct 2008)
- BSSA Special Collection on the 1868 Hayward Earthquake & Related Research (09 Oct 2008)
- New Director at the Center for Earthquake Research and Information (06 Oct 2008)
- IRIS/SSA 2009 Distinguished Lecturers Announced (30 Sep 2008)
- Public Briefing on Grand Challenges for Disaster Reduction (26 Sep 2008)
- AGI: Female Participation Low in Academic Geoscience (26 Sep 2008)
- USGS Mendenhall Postdoc Applications Due 12 November (26 Sep 2008)
- Geoscientists Visit Congress (15 Sep 2008)
- SSA Board of Directors Candidate Statements Now Available (11 Sep 2008)
- SSA Releases New Summary of Public Policy Positions (07 Aug 2008)
- SSA Announces Award Winners (11 Jul 2008)
- COPUS 2009 Year of Science (09 May 2008)
- NEHRP Input Opportunity (09 May 2008)
- SRL Now Available Online Through GeoScienceWorld (13 Dec 2007)
- Version 2.0 of Free Macintosh Seismograph Application Now Available (21 Nov 2007)
- Stop Disasters (02 Nov 2007)
5 Million People Getting Ready to ShakeOut!
7 Nov 2008
In less than a week, at 10 a.m. on November 13, over 5 million Southern Californians, wherever they are a the time, will take part in the largest earthquake preparedness activity in U.S. history! The ShakeOut is a chance to practice drop, cover, and hold on so that we will be ready to protect ourselves in earthquakes. For more information go to http://www.shakeout.org/.
Call for Papers: BSSA Special Issue on the 2008 Wenchuan Earthquake
20 Oct 2008
The Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America (BSSA) will publish a special issue on the 12 May 2008 Magnitude 8.0 Wenchuan earthquake. This event demands our attention because of its devastating effects in a heavily populated region, resulting in one of the largest death tolls related to a continental earthquake during the last century. This earthquake occurred on tectonic structures that were not considered very active, and the processes driving deformation there are still very much in debate. Large continental thrust events are infrequent, although faults that could potentially cause such earthquakes are known to exist in other highly populated areas such as frontal Himalayas or Caucasus. Thus, the data sets produced by this earthquake will provide unique insights on continental thrust events.
This BSSA special issue will focus on results of investigations into all seismological, geodetic, other geophysical, geological, and engineering aspects of the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake. All authors working in this area are encouraged to submit research papers for consideration as part of this special issue. We recommend that authors contact one of the guest editors who are listed with their primary responsibilities.
- Yann Klinger, Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris (klinger [at] ipgp [dot] jussieu [dot] fr) will handle papers on geology.
- Chen Ji, University of California at Santa Barbara (ji [at] geol [dot] ucsb [dot] edu) will cover papers on seismology.
- Zheng-Kang Shen, Peking University and University of California at Los Angeles (zshen [at] ucla [dot] edu) will oversee papers on geodesy.
The special issue will be published in September 2010. We will begin accepting submissions in January 2009; the submission deadline is 31 August 2009. Manuscripts should be prepared as described at http://www.seismosoc.org/publications/bssa/authors/ and should be submitted via http://bssa.edmgr.com. Authors should select the category “Wenchuan Earthquake Special Issue” during the submittal process.
Questions may be addressed to Andrew Michael, Editor-in-Chief, at bssaeditor [at] seismosoc [dot] org or Carol Mark, Managing Editor, at bssa [at] seismosoc [dot] org.
AGI Publishes Transition Document for Next U.S. Administration
10 Oct 2008
Alexandria, VA – The American Geological Institute (AGI), in conjunction with its Member Societies (including SSA), is announcing the release of "Critical Needs for the Twenty First Century: The Role of the Geosciences." This concise document suggests policy directions for the next President, his administration, federal agencies and the United States Congress. The document identifies seven national issues and the role geosciences can play in addressing them: energy and climate, water, waste disposal, natural hazards, infrastructure, raw materials, and workforce and education needs.
With energy, natural hazards, and climate change in the news, the geosciences are more visible today than ever before. The geosciences have never been more central to the major pressing issues facing the nation. "Critical Needs for the Next Century" intends to unite the geosciences so they are heard in the policy making decisions of the next administration.
Dr. Pat Leahy, Executive Director of AGI says "This document highlights the most prevalent issues facing the earth sciences and the nation’s policy challenges for tomorrow. By distributing this document, we are ensuring that the needs of the nation will be met by the next administration and in turn the efforts of the geosciences community will be recognized as key contributions to tackling society’s needs. As we struggle to balance energy and economic and environmental well being, the geosciences will become increasingly important."
AGI unveiled this document as part of the first annual Geosciences Congressional Visits Day, where over sixty geoscientists visited their members of Congress encouraging steady investment in geoscience research and education. A PDF of "Critical Needs for the Twenty First Century" is available on the AGI Government Affairs Web Site at http://www.agiweb.org/gap/trans08.html.
The American Geological Institute is a nonprofit federation of 45 geoscientific and professional associations that represents more than 120,000 geologists, geophysicists and other earth scientists.
BSSA Special Collection on the 1868 Hayward Earthquake & Related Research
9 Oct 2008
To commemorate the 140th anniversary of the 1868 Hayward Earthquake, SSA has published a special online collection of previously-published BSSA articles on the quake, the Hayward fault and related research. Created in conjunction with the Third Conference on Earthquake Hazards in the Eastern San Francisco Bay Area, the 25 articles in the collection are now freely available to anyone. The special BSSA collection and the conference are two activities of a Bay-Area wide commemoration coordinated by the 1868 Hayward Earthquake Alliance, which was formed to raise awareness of the need to prepare Bay Area communities for a future event on the Hayward Fault.
New Director at the Center for Earthquake Research and Information
6 Oct 2008
The Center for Earthquake Research and Information (CERI) at the University of Memphis announces a change in leadership. Dr. Charles Langston has accepted the position of Director. Dr. Arch Johnston is now Founding Director. For additional information regarding restructuring at CERI, please access our strategic plan at http://www.ceri.memphis.edu.
IRIS/SSA 2009 Distinguished Lecturers Announced
30 Sep 2008
The Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology (IRIS) and the Seismological Society of America (SSA) are pleased to announce the selection of two experienced speakers from the Earth science research community for the 2009 IRIS/SSA Distinguished Lectureship Series.
Our speakers are chosen each year for their interesting subject matter as well as their ability to convey scientific ideas to a general audience. IRIS and SSA will cover all of the speakers’ travel and lodging costs and will also provide free seismology outreach materials to interested venues. The speakers and their topics are:
Dr. Richard C. Aster, New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology
“Taking Earth’s Pulse and Temperature Using Seismology: Roaring Oceans and Singing Icebergs”
and
Dr. Aaron A. Velasco, University of Texas at El Paso
“Can a Large Earthquake in Another Country Cause One in Your Backyard?”
This Lecture Series begins in January 2009. If you are interested in requesting a speaker please contact Patrick McQuillan (email- mcquillan [at] iris [dot] edu; tel- 202-682-2220) for details. To learn more about the talks please see this downloadable flyer [PDF; 3 MB]. We provide new speakers each year, so please also keep us in mind in your future planning.
Public Briefing on Grand Challenges for Disaster Reduction
26 Sep 2008
The Grand Challenges for Disaster Reduction, a 10-year strategy produced by the National Science and Technology Council’s Subcommittee on Disaster Reduction was unveiled on Capitol Hill September 19. The Grand Challenges represent priority Federal science and technology investment needs to help the Nation reduce future loss of life and property as a result of disasters.
The briefing was co-sponsored by the Hazards Caucus Alliance, an informal network of organizations concerned about reducing the risk of hazards. SSA is an active participant in the Hazards Caucus.
Speakers included:
- David Applegate, Senior Science Advisor for Earthquake & Geologic Hazards, U.S. Geological Survey, and Chair, Subcommittee on Disaster Reduction
- Ken Graham, Meteorologist-in-Charge at the NOAA/National Weather Service New Orleans/Baton Rouge Office
- Richard Lasko, Assistant Director, Fire and Aviation Management, U.S. Forest Service
Copies of the recently released implementation plans identifying priority science and technology activities for 14 hazards are available at: http://www.sdr.gov/.
AGI: Female Participation Low in Academic Geoscience
26 Sep 2008
The geosciences have a lower percentage of female faculty members than other sciences despite steady growth in the number of women earning geosciences degrees, according to new data from the American Geological Institute’s Workforce Program. Women earn 45 percent of all geosciences degrees granted and make up 14.2 percent of geosciences tenure-track positions. However, women account for 28 percent of tenure-track positions in all sciences. For more information, visit http://www.agiweb.org/workforce.
USGS Mendenhall Postdoc Applications Due 12 November
26 Sep 2008
Candidates have until 12 November 2008 to apply for a two-year USGS Mendenhall postdoctoral program in observation and analysis of climate processes using seismic data from the Global Seismographic Network.
The principal work will be sponsored at USGS Golden in collaboration with USGS Albuquerque Seismological Laboratory, Scripps, and New Mexico Tech.
The focus of this Mendenhall research will be the critical examination of seismic signals arising from climate processes and the evaluation of possible changes through time. Candidates are sought to develop innovative techniques for investigating the source phenomenology and history of global microseisms in unprecedented detail and at new levels of spatial and temporal resolution. Research may include the unique aspects of microseisms in Arctic and Antarctic regions, and additional seismic signals related to glaciological processes and sea ice variability. Research conducted during this postdoctoral opportunity is expected to contribute new results to ongoing projects in the USGS Program in Global Change (http://www.usgs.gov/global_change/), with the U.S. Climate Change Science Program (http:// www.climatescience.gov/), and with results from studies conducted during the International Polar Year (http://www.ipy.org/)
For full details please see
[Back to Index]
Geoscientists Visit Congress
15 Sep 2008
On September 9-10, SSA co-sponsored and participated in the first Geo-Science Congressional Visits Day event. With over 60 participants, the event consisted of a half-day workshop on issues from how the appropriations process works and what to expect from Congressional visits, to budget overview presentations from key science agencies, including National Science Foundation and NOAA.
The following day, armed with the key message of, "Geo-science Funding Pays Off," the participants walked the halls of Congress - visiting over 100 offices of Representatives, Senators and Committees. SSA participants were able to highlight earthquake programs and their funding requirements, as well as the upcoming Re-authorization of the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program.
Geo-science Congressional Visits Day, which aims to be an annual event, was also co-sponsored by the American Geological Institute, American Geophysical Union, American Association of Petroleum Geologists, Geological Society of America, and Soils Science Society of America.
SSA Board of Directors Candidate Statements Now Available
11 Sep 2008
Statements from the candidates for SSA Board of Directors for 2009 are now available online at http://www.seismosoc.org/news/2009_candidate_statements.php.
The SSA board of directors election is conducted online through Elections America. Election information will be sent to SSA members with their membership renewal packets in October. Online voting instructions will be sent by Elections America on October 15, 2008 via email. Paper ballots will be available upon request. All votes must be submitted by January 9, 2009, 12:00 PM PST.
SSA Releases New Summary of Public Policy Positions
7 Aug 2008
An integrated summary of SSA's positions on key U. S. public policy issues has been developed by the Government Relations Committee and approved by the Board of Directors. Government Relations Committee Chair, Stuart Nishenko describes it as a "living document" that will evolve as issues emerge and as SSA's position are further defined. President Bill Ellsworth says, "The process of developing this statement has been very important for the Society. It has led us to a clarify our positions and challenge many of our assumptions. These conversations should continue." Nishenko also said it was his hope that members would find the statement useful in communicating with public policy decision makers about issues important to the science and public safety.
The Government Relations committee welcomes feedback on the statement. You may contact the committee via Executive Director, Susan Newman, <snewman [at] seismosoc [dot] org>.
SSA Announces Award Winners
11 Jul 2008
SSA is pleased to announce the recipients of several prestigious awards. These awards will be presented at the Society's 2009 Annual Meeting in Monterey California.
The 2008 Reid Medal will be awarded to Ralph J. Archuleta, University of California, Santa Barbara.
The award for Distinguished Service to SSA will be presented to Joe J. Litehiser, Bechtel Corporation.
The Frank Press Public Service Award will be given to David Wald, U.S. Geological Survey.
Miaki Ishii, Harvard University, will be the recipient of the 2008 Richter Early Career Award.
More information about these awards, including lists of past recipients, is available on the SSA website Awards section.
COPUS 2009 Year of Science
9 May 2008
The Coalition on the Public Understanding of Science (COPUS) is making plans now for the 2009 Year of Science (YoS09). The goal of this national, year-long celebration of science is to engage the public and improve public understanding about the nature and process of science.
COPUS is a grassroots network of more than 200 participating organizations representing universities, scientific societies, science centers and museums, government agencies, advocacy groups, media, educators, businesses, and industry, formed in response to recent concerns about national scientific literacy. Regionally based hubs also are forming, including a tenth regional hub formed in Boulder, Colorado.
YoS09 activities being developed include:
- Free public lectures and programs at museums and science centers;
- Opportunities to spend a day with a scientist or participate in a research project;
- Roundtable discussions about important local science issues;
- Connecting COPUS-affiliated scientists with the K–12 community;
- Creating local Science Cafés; and
- Radio spots, editorials, and on-line resources that highlight the nature and process of science
Participants are registering their YoS09 events in the COPUS Program and Resource Directory where members of the public can search for resources and activities by topic interest, audience, date, and location. Web 2.0 tools are being developed to help spread the utility of this community directory by making it accessible via interactive online bumper stickers. For more information, visit http://blogs.aibs.org/copus/.
NEHRP Input Opportunity
9 May 2008
The National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP) has established the creation and maintenance of a repository of important post-earthquake reconnaissance data as one of its strategic priorities that will be emphasized in its new strategic plan. The Multihazard Mitigation Council’s American Lifelines Alliance (ALA) hopes to develop a road map that will assist NEHRP agencies in developing and implementing a Post-earthquake Information Management System (PIMS). The goal of the ALA effort is to identify both infrastructure requirements (e.g., data system architecture, technological needs and issues) and implementation requirements (e.g., facilities, expertise, policies, and funding) for PIMS. The road map that results is expected to identify PIMS requirements, delineate the steps that will need to be taken to create the system, estimate likely costs and levels of effort required for each development step, and provide an implementation schedule with milestones.
NEHRP invites members of the earthquake professional community to provide any input they consider to be appropriate. The ALA plans to convene a small workshop for reviewing and commenting on a draft of the PIMS plan in early summer. Please visit the NEHRP News and Events Web page at http://www.nehrp.gov/news/index.htm to learn more.
SRL Now Available Online Through GeoScienceWorld
13 Dec 2007
SSA is pleased to announce that Seismological Research Letters (SRL) is now available online through GeoScienceWorld. Full text, figures and downloadable PDF files of the complete contents of all issues from January/February 2006 (Volume 77, Number 1) through January/February 2008 (Volume 79, Number 1) are available to SSA members and GeoScienceWorld subscribers, though tables of contents and article extracts are freely available and non-members/subscribers will be able to purchase short-term access to individual articles.
Visit http://srl.geoscienceworld.org to try it out and let us know what you think.
Version 2.0 of Free Macintosh Seismograph Application Now Available
21 Nov 2007
Suitable Systems has released version 2.0 of its popular SeisMac™ application, the free software-only tool that turns a Macintosh laptop into a three-axis seismograph. Using the Sudden Motion Sensor hardware built into recent Macintosh laptops, SeisMac senses seismic motion in three dimensions and displays it as three continually scrolling graphs. Version 2.0's enhancements make SeisMac an even more valuable tool for classroom demonstrations of seismic concepts and techniques. (See SRL 77:3, November-December 2006, pages 731– 733 for more information.)
Version 2.0 of SeisMac was created with support from the National Science Foundation through the Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology (IRIS) and includes many new features:
- Pause the display to study an event
- Scroll back in time to see older data
- Time labels tell exactly when an event occurred
- Enlarge or contract the graph, both vertically and horizontally
- Copy, print or save the screen
- Adjust the sample rate from 10 to 500 samples per second
- Smooth the acceleration data
- "Out of Range" arrow appears when the graph goes off the screen
- Runs on non-SMS machines using test data
SeisMac is free for Mac OS X 10.4 or later. For more information, visit http://www.suitable.com/tools/seismac.html or contact Daniel Griscom at Suitable Systems, 781-665-0053, email: <griscom [at symbol] suitable. com>, http://www.suitable.com.
Stop Disasters
2 Nov 2007
Try your hand at disaster prevention with International Strategy for Disaster Reduction’s (ISDR) new online game. The online game tests your knowledge and skill at preventing such disasters as earthquakes, tsunamis, wild fires and more.
Visit www.stopdisastersgame.org to play.