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Published August 1978 | Published
Journal Article Open

A challenge to earthquake research

Abstract

In the history of earthquake studies there are certain red-letter dates that have special significance either because of the occurrence of a particularly noteworthy earthquake, the recording of special earthquake data, or because of the discovery of a far-reaching and seminal concept. To these red-letter dates there must now be added 1977, the year that earthquake studies received the official attention and approval of the United States Congress; the year that saw the passage by Congress of the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act. This Act, I believe, can be attributed to the shock effects of the 9 February 1971, San Fernando, California earthquake, and, particularly to the lasting concern of Senator Alan Cranston when he viewed the resulting damage. In the past, strong public shock was generated by such events as the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, the 10 March 1933 Long Beach earthquake, and the 27 March 1964 Alaska earthquake. The death and destruction caused by these made strong impressions on the public, but not for long. The shock effect of these events tended to die away quickly and support for increased research to solve earthquake problems was not generated. The passage of the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act six years after the San Fernando earthquake, demonstrates an aspect of the more informed and longer-lasting interest in the earthquake problem on the part of Congress, State legislatures, and local government agencies.

Additional Information

Copyright © 1978 by the Seismological Society of America. Manuscript received April 15, 1978

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August 19, 2023
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October 17, 2023