(One more, and then I’ll move on. I promise…)
The USGS website is a gift that keeps on giving as far as historic information on earthquakes is concerned. Need a list (with descriptions) of the earthquakes which caused 1000 or more deaths since 1900? Here you are. What about US National Seismic Hazard Maps (so people can keep arguing about whether or not earthquakes are predictable events)? Here, along with Seismic Design Values for Buildings, a Java-based calculator which can provide Hazard Curves, design parameters from ASCE and international building codes, and “uniform hazard response spectra”. How about an estimate of the number of people and the names of cities exposed to severe shaking following significant earthquakes worldwide? Yup, that’s here too, under the “PAGER – Prompt Assessment of Global Earthquakes for Response” heading. Because I’m working on a loaner computer, I can’t look at the Google Earth tools, but I’ve bookmarked them for later because so many of them look interesting. Finally, a page of preparedness-related website links gives great resources for students in our ESM/Disaster Science program, including the LA City Fire Department Earthquake Preparedness Handbook, the NEHRP (the Federal Government’s earthquake risk reduction program), and others.