Monday, April 14, 2008

UCERF Press Release

A press conference is taking place now on the new Uniform California Earthquake Rupture Forecast (UCERF).

This is important and I hope you will take the time to read and study this report which is available from USGS in full detail here.

A large group of scientists, led by my colleague Ned Field (USGS), put together a new seismic hazard estimate for the State of California. This work is inherently important for having made a uniform statewide product, and for identifying a fresh new research agenda for the future.

Pop Culture in California - TV's Eli Stone - only M6.8?

Did you watch last night's episode of Eli Stone? He and also quite an eccentric 'mad scientist' character successfully predicted a damaging earthquake in San Francisco. Eli has a premonition in a day dream due to his brain aneurysm. Wow! Anyhow, the crazy lawyer and crazy scientist somehow convince the Mayor to close the Golden Gate bridge, which is then damaged badly. Oh well, I guess someone figures this is what people want to see on TV - is it really? This makes me think we should pay for cable so that we can watch some worthwhile documentaries on science instead.