Mid-Continent Geographic Science Center

New Madrid Seismic Zone Conference

The U.S. Geological Survey Mid-Continent Geographic Science Center, the Geology and Land Survey Division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, the Missouri State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), and the Missouri University of Science and Technology (formerly the University of Missouri – Rolla) will host an earthquake preparedness workshop focused on the New Madrid Seismic Zone. The workshop will be held August 12-14, 2008, on the campus of the Missouri University of Science and Technology in Rolla, Missouri. The overall goal of this workshop is to provide a regional forum for the presentation, exchange of ideas, and potential solutions involved with preparing for a significant central U.S. earthquake.

The first day of the conference will address specific topics, including the consequences of a major earthquake, engineering effects and stresses, socioeconomic impacts, mitigation plans for transportation and infrastructure, geological and structural monitoring, and geologic mapping activities. The second day will be divided into two tracks to facilitate discussion and input into the needs of the response and recovery community. Presentations will focus on federal and state agency mapping activities, and lessons learned from state and Department of Defense natural disaster exercises. Both sessions will have a facilitated panel discussion to develop a list of challenges to response and recovery operations that can be supported through relevant science and engineering activities. Additionally, SEMA will be conducting Structural Assessment and Visual Evaluation (SAVE) Coalition training for conference participants.

For more information and registration details, visit the conference website at http://conference.mst.edu/newmadridconf/

Contacts: Emitt Witt, Krista Karstensen

Rolla, Missouri