News & Events
CUSEC News Print E-mail

Arkansas set to Install Seismic Monitoring Stations
December 2008 - Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe has authorized the State to purchase six broadband seismic monitors that will detect and locate earthquake activity throughout Arkansas. The Arkansas Geological Survey will place the monitors throughout the state to improve measuring capabilities in areas between existing stations around the New Madrid Seismic Zone in Northeast Arkansas and those in Oklahoma.   "Although Arkansans may not think about earthquakes often, our proximity to the New Madrid zone makes them a realistic concern for our State," Governor Beebe said. "Our emergency responders already train and prepare for earthquakes. These seismic monitors will give us better information about the small tremors we experience now and help us prepare for stronger earthquakes that could impact Arkansas in the future."  The earthquake data collected by the new monitors will be shared with researchers and the public on a regular basis. The Geological Survey will also post updated maps of recent seismic activity online.  Adapted from the Official News Release


Special Session at SSA on Mt. Carmel Earthquake
December 2008 - There will be a special session at the April 2009 Seismological Society of America Meeting entitled  "M5.2 Mt. Carmel, Illinois, Earthquake, 18 April 2008".  The 18 April 2008 M5.2 Mt. Carmel earthquake is the most densely recorded moderate-sized earthquake to date in the Eastern U.S. It is also the largest earthquake to strike the central U.S. in 40 years. The main event and 35 aftershocks were widely recorded by ANSS seismographs across the central U.S. offering an opportunity to study earthquake ground motions having a variety of site conditions including the thick soils of the Mississippi Embayment. Based on USGS Did You Feel It reports the earthquake was widely felt up to 500 km from the epicenter including the cities of Chicago, IL, Indianapolis, IN, Lexington, KY, Atlanta, GA, Memphis, TN, and St. Louis, MO.  This session seeks contributions on source rupture models, geodetic observations, fault plane characterization from aftershocks, site response and basin effects, attenuation, and shaking effects to the built environment and free-field related to this earthquake.  Information about the meeting and abstract submission can be found at the SSA Website: http://www.seismosoc.org/meetings/2009/specialsessions.php


New Report on Impact of Earthquakes in the Central United States
November 2008 - The Mid-America Earthquake (MAE) Center at the University of Illinois announces the release of its report entitled ‘Impact of Earthquakes on the Central USA’.  The report is the one of the products of the largest earthquake consequence assessment project in United States history, the New Madrid Seismic Zone Catastrophic Planning Project. The report contains earthquake impact assessments for the eight CUSEC Member States, and lists damage and other consequences to the built environment as well as social and economic impacts.  The earthquake scenarios used represent the New Madrid, the Wabash Valley, and East Tennessee seismic zones.  The analysis employs new and more reliable hazard and inventory data that has not been used before.

The project is managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers’ Construction Engineering Research Laboratory, and the work was undertaken in partnership with the Institute for Crisis, Disaster and Risk Management at the George Washington University, with contributions for the Association of CUSEC State Geologists, IEM, FEMA, US Geological Survey, and CUSEC.  The report is available for download at IDEALS.  Bound paper and CD copies are available from This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , MAE Center Program Coordinator.

Last Updated ( Friday, 05 December 2008 20:50 )
Click here to view more News & Updates...
 
CUSEC News Archives Print E-mail

2007 CUSEC News Archives

CUSEC Saddened by the Loss of Close Friend and Colleague
November 2007- Jerry Thompson, 61, of Lamar, Indiana, passed away on Friday November 9, 2007. Jerry was the driving force behind the formation of the CUSEC Transportation Task Force.  He held the chairman's position of the group from 2000 until mid 2007. The Task Force is one of three associations which function under the CUSEC umbrella and it serves two purposes: to help facilitate closer interaction between state departments of transportation on issues related to emergency preparedness and to provide a central point for collaboration with other organizations on transportation issues related to both man-made and natural disasters having a regional impact. Jerry served more than 40 years with the Indiana Department of Transportation and his leadership, vision, and sense of humor will be greatly missed by all who knew him.  For more information, click here

Click here to view the CUSEC News Archives...
 
Earthquakes in the News Print E-mail

In an effort to provide better information to our visitors, please use the links below to find out more about recent earthquake related information in the news.  As websites update their links, some of these URL's may not be available.  If you find one of our links is broken, please let us know, and we will remove it.  This page will be updated often and the links will be listed in order of most recent first.  Enjoy! 

Article:  Ausbrooks Talks About Earthquakes
Publisher:  Malvern Daily Record
Date: 01/05/2009
Direct Link:  http://www.malvern-online.com/content/view/133307/92/

Article:  Modest Earthquake Rattles Area (South Carolina)
Publisher: 
The Post and Courier
Date: 12/17/2008
Direct Link:
http://www.charleston.net/news/2008/dec/17/modest_earthquake_rattles_area65257/

Last Updated ( Monday, 05 January 2009 21:59 )
Click Here to Read More Articles...
 
Events Calendar Print E-mail

The CUSEC Calendar is updated regularly.  Current events that are earthquake and emergency management related are listed below.  If you would like more information on an event, or would like to have your event listed on the calendar, please contact CUSEC at at 901-544-3570 or send us an email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

December 2008
December 2 - Local Catastrophic Planning Workshop; St. James, Missouri
December 3 - Local Catastrophic Planning Workshop; Springfield, Missouri
December 4 - Local Catastrophic Planning Workshop; Independence, Missouri
December 3-4 - CUSEC Board of Directors Meeting; Fair Hope, Alabama
December 8-9 - New Madrid Seismic Zone Catastrophic Disaster Planning Workshop; Florence, Alabama
December 10 - ATC20 & FEMA 154 Course; Little Rock, Arkansas
December 12 - Structural Assessment and Visual Evaluation Training; Wellston, Missouri;
December 25 - Christmas Holiday; CUSEC Office Closed
December 29 - Earthquake Presentation at the Rotary Club of Batesville; Batesville, Arkansas

Last Updated ( Monday, 15 December 2008 14:41 )
Click here to view more Upcoming Events...
 
Workshop Registration Print E-mail

Welcome to the online registration portal for workshops, meetings, and conferences that are coordinated by CUSEC.  Please use the links below to find all related information for a particular event.  You will be able to register electronically or also have the option to print out a registration form and fax or mail it in.  In the event that you do not see the event you are looking for listed below, please call our office at (901) 544-3570 or send us an email.

Click here view current Workshop & Training Opportunities...
 
Catastrophic Planning Workshops Print E-mail

Welcome to the online registration portal for the New Madrid Seismic Zone Catastrophic Disaster Response Planning workshops. Please use the links below to find all related information for a particular workshop. You will be able to register electronically and view the logistical information for the event.   In the event that you do not see the event you are looking for listed below, please call our office at (800) 824-5817 or send us an email. 

Please note that these workshops are not for the general public, but by invitation only by State and Federal Emergency Management.

Click here to access registration for Catastrophic Planning Workshops...