ASCE Capital Branch Luncheon Meeting

California's Earthquake Early Warning System - Where is it?

Guest Speakers:  John Parrish, Ph.D., PG, State Geologist, California Geological Survey

Abstract:

Proposals for an Earthquake Early Warning (EEW) System for California have been made since the 1870's, folowing the great Hayward Earthquake of 1868 in the San Fransisco bay area.  In the most recent 10 years, the U.S. Geologica Survey (USGS) has been developing an EEW system for California and the entire U.S. Pacific Coast.  The California Geological Survey (CGS) is involved as a member of the California Integrated Seismic Network becuase of its existing large seismic network throughout the State.  By legislative statute, the EEW program in California is being overseen by the Governor's Office of Emergency Services.

After Alaska, California is the most seismically active state in the nation - and, unlike Alaska, California has 40 million inhabitants and operates the world's sixth largest economy. All of this has been developed on the most earthquake prone parts of the State, and no funding for the continued operation of the system once installed has been approved.  It is the intention of the system developers to have an operating system for portions of southern California in place by the end of 2018.

About the Speaker: 

Dr. John Parrish was appointed on April 1, 2005 to serve as the California State Geologist and Chief of the California Geological Survey.  The State Geologist is the primary contact and spokesperson for the California Geological Survey with the Resource Agency, the Govenor's Office, the State Legislature, and the State Mining and Geology Board. Prior to his current position, he was the Executive Officer for the State Mining and Geology Board for eleven years. Before coming to the state service, Dr. Parrish spent 21 years in various capacities of geological exploration for a large international petroleum company.  

A native of California, he was raised in Los Angeles. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Geology from the University of Redlands in Southern California; a Master of Science degree in Geology from the University of Housont, Houston, Texas; a Master of Business Administration; and, a PH. D. in Marine Geology from University of Wales, Aberystwyth, Wales, U.K.

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Sponsorship Opportunity

The ASCE Capital Branch is pleased to announce an opportunity for the Civil Engineering Firms, Contractors and Vendors to sponsor ASCE’s monthly Luncheons. The sponsoring company will have the opportunity to make a brief presentation that is 3 to 5 minutes long and is supported by a few slides in PowerPoint format.  This opportunity will provide the sponsoring company a great marketing opportunity to the local engineering community.  For further information, please contact Jai Singh at (916) 580-9725.    

 

Community Outreach

TRAVELING? Are you traveling for work or play?  If so, join the Capital Branch in supporting shelters for women and children escaping a violent environment, by collecting those little hotel toiletries that you find in your hotel room.  The Capital Branch will collect them at its meetings and deliver them to the shelter.  Thank you on behalf of the shelters and the women and children who you will be helping. 

Register Now!