This free workshop sponsored by Caltech and the U.S. Geological Survey is for veteran and novice reporters and all newsroom staff who handle earthquake coverage.
Attendees will learn how and why earthquakes occur, which Southern California faults are likely to be active, how safe our buildings are, how far we've come in our earthquake technology since the 6.7 magnitude Northridge quake on Jan. 17, 1994, and how the media can access information and graphics immediately following an earthquake via the Internet.
Speakers are Lucy Jones, scientist in charge, USGS; Kate Hutton, staff seismologist, Caltech; Egill Hauksson, senior research associate in geophysics, Caltech; Tom Heaton, professor of engineering seismology, Caltech; Kerry Sieh, Sharp Professor of Geology, Caltech; and Mark Simons, associate professor of geophysics, Caltech.
Attendees may conduct one-on-one interviews with these individuals from noon to 12:30 p.m.
Ongoing tours of the Caltech Seismology Lab will take place from noon to 1 p.m.
From 1 to 2 p.m. veteran Caltech geologist Leon Silver will lead a field trip and photo opportunity to the most dynamically active mountain range in the contiguous 48 states, the San Gabriel Mountains. At a spot 15 minutes from the Caltech campus, Silver will describe how the Sierra Madre and its associated faults developed as the range formed and are continuing to shift the Southern California landscape. Maps will be distributed at the event.
RSVPs are required for Earthquakes 101 and the field trip. Those who RSVP by Dec. 30 will receive at the event an updated Earthquake Coverage Survival Guide with essential facts about earthquakes, web sites, and expert contacts at Caltech and the USGS.
To RSVP, call Deborah Williams-Hedges at (626) 395-3227 or email her at [email protected]. Parking is available in the structure across the street from the Broad Center at 341 S. Wilson Ave., or attendees can park in the lot north of the Broad Center. Parking passes will be handed out to attendees at these two locations.
Plan to arrive 15 minutes early in order to register.
NOTE: This workshop is different from the Saturday, Jan. 17 Northridge earthquake commemoration event for the general public hosted by Caltech and the USGS at Beckman Auditorium at Caltech. That event will include lectures by experts, informational exhibits by the Red Cross and other agencies, as well as hands-on activities for children. It is also open to the media and would be an excellent opportunity to get public reaction to the 10th anniversary of the Northridge earthquake. For more information on that event, see http://pasadena.wr.usgs.gov/info/lectures/ or call 626-583-6801 or 626-395-6318.
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MEDIA CONTACT: Jill Perry, Media Relations Director (626) 395-3226 [email protected]
Visit the Caltech media relations web site: http://pr.caltech.edu/media
