Proceedings of Conference IV: the use of volunteers in the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program, convened under the auspices of National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program, 2-3 February, 1978, Menlo Park, California

Open-File Report 78-336
Edited by: Peter L. Ward

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Abstract

There are tens of thousands of people in the United States who could play an important voluntary role in reducing earthquake hazards and are probably willing to do so. Under the Earthquake Hazard Reduction Act of 1977 the Federal government is significantly increasing its effort "to reduce the risk of life and property from future earthquakes in the United States through the establishment and maintenance of an effective earthquake hazards reduction program." This program involves research, for example, by geologists, seismologists, engineers, sociologists, educators, and public policy experts sponsored primarily by the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Science Foundation. There is a heavy emphasis, however, on the implementation of these results in local communities. When all the research results are available, the benefits of these efforts will depend on whether individual citizens living in earthquake zones accurately perceive the relative importance of earthquake hazards. These individuals can then decide for themselves how to modify their own lifestyles to minimize these hazards. Thus, one of the seven objectives of this national program is "the education of the public, including state and local officials, as to earthquake phenomena, the identification of locations and structures which are especially susceptible to earthquake damage, ways to reduce the adverse consequences of an earthquake, and related matters."

Study Area

Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Proceedings of Conference IV: the use of volunteers in the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program, convened under the auspices of National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program, 2-3 February, 1978, Menlo Park, California
Series title Open-File Report
Series number 78-336
DOI 10.3133/ofr78336
Year Published 1978
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Menlo Park, CA
Contributing office(s) Office of Earthquake Studies
Description 273 p.
Country United States
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