Recent Earthquakes and Tsunamis: Gathering, Understanding, and Sharing Information with the USGS and NOAA Websites

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The GeoHazards Messaging Collaboratory GMC will host a free earthquake and tsunami science and alerts training for members of the general public and media, on Wednesday, October 4^th, 2017, at 11:00 AM PT. The GMC is a working group of communications professionals from the U.S. Geological Survey USGS, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NOAA, Incorporated Research Institutes for Seismology IRIS, UNAVCO, and Southern California Earthquake Center SCEC.

Please register to gain webinar access information

After the next significant earthquake and/or tsunami, many sources will disseminate information from a variety of accounts, tools, and services, some of which may contradict other information or confuse the public. This web-based training for the general public and media will cover the two most authoritative sources: the U.S. Geological Survey's Earthquake Hazards Program website (earthquakes.usgs.gov) including how its products work together, such as through the Latest Earthquakes Map and the Earthquake Notification Service, and NOAA's Tsunami Warning Center's products, the tsunami alerts website tsunami.gov, and ways people can get tsunami alerts to their mobile device and understand natural warning signs a tsunami is coming. The webinar will conclude with an interactive Q&A between attendees and representatives of the GMC.

Everyone, everywhere should know how to protect themselves from earthquakes and tsunamis. With Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drills planned worldwide on October 19 (a simple opportunity for everyone to practice Drop, Cover, and Hold On, wherever they are ? encourage those you know to commit and register at ShakeOut.org!) and as September's National Preparedness Month concludes, now is the time to get involved and take steps toward education and resiliency. As the National Preparedness Month slogan reminds us, "Disasters Don't Plan Ahead. You Can." Please also note: World Tsunami Awareness Day is November 5^th, and you can learn more about tsunami preparedness at TsunamiZone.org. These events and this upcoming webinar are great ways to get informed and take action.

WEBINAR SCHEDULE:

• 11:00 AM - 11:05 AM: Introduction by the GeoHazards Messaging Collaboratory
  
  
• 11:05 AM - 11:35 AM: Training on how to use USGS pages, services, and products for recent earthquake information ? Lisa Wald, U.S. Geological Survey
  
  
• 11:35 AM ? 12:05 PM: Training on how to receive tsunami warning products and what to do in case of a tsunami ? Cindi Preller, NOAA's Pacific Tsunami Warning Center
  
  
• 12:05 PM ? 12:30 PM: Q&A / discussion between attending media and earthquake experts

Resources:

• Post-Earthquake Information Guide for Media fact sheet
• Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drills
• TsunamiZone.org

MEDIA CONTACT:

Jason Ballmann, SCEC
[email protected] 
213.740.1560

SOURCE GeoHazards Messaging Collaboratory