Earthquake danger in northeast highlighted by new USGS map

California and Seattle aren't the only places in the United States prone to earthquake danger. Over 1,000 earthquakes have hit the Northeast over the last 360 years according to a new earthquake map and fact sheet soon to be unveiled by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the Northeast States Emergency Consortium (NESEC). Many of the earthquakes - including two in Boston and two in New York City - have caused noteworthy damage. The map and companion fact sheet target public awareness of Northeastern earthquake hazards and will serve as valuable tools for public officials, citizens, engineers, and scientists who are working to minimize the effects of future Northeastern earthquakes.

WHAT: Release of new Northeastern U.S. Earthquake Map and accompanying fact sheet

WHO: U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and Northeast States Emergency Consortium (NESEC) in cooperation with FEMA and Boston College

WHEN: April 30, 2001
9:30 a.m.

WHERE: Campion Center
319 Concord Road
Weston, Massachusetts

Driving directions

From Route 28 (I-95), exit at Route 20 (Exit 26 to Waltham/Weston). Follow Route 20 west toward Weston. Turn right at the first traffic light. After about 100 feet, at the first intersection turn left onto Main Street. Continue on Main through Weston Center, past St. Julia's church and stores. Just as you seem to be leaving the center of town, turn right onto Concord Road. A sign reads: "To Weston Observatory" and "To Campion Center".

Follow Concord Road 1.5 miles. Stay left where the road forks. At the top of a hill, the Campion Center is on the right side of the road and its parking lot is on the left.

To reach Weston Observatory, continue past the Campion Center and stay right at a fork. You will still be on Concord Road. Weston Observatory is on the right, about a thousand feet beyond the Campion Center. Obtaining copies

Copies of the map and fact sheet will be available by mail, telephone, and Web as follows. Neither product will be ready for distribution before the conference.

Large-format map, "Earthquakes in and near the northeastern U.S., 1638-1998"
Paper copy: call 1-888-ASK-USGS and request USGS map I-2737. Price is $7 plus $5 shipping and handling. Digital version: download files free from http://greenwood.cr.usgs.gov/pub/i-maps/i-2737/.

Fact sheet, same title as map, free:
Paper copies: call 1-888-ASK-USGS and request USGS Fact Sheet FS-06-001.
Digital version: download a PDF free from http://greenwood.cr.usgs.gov/pub/fact-sheets/fs-0006-01/.

The USGS serves the nation by providing impartial scientific information to describe and understand the Earth, its resources and processes; minimize loss of life and property from natural disasters; manage water, biological, energy, and mineral resources; and enhance and protect our quality of life.