Information Service

The MCEER Information Service, a component of MCEER, is a comprehensive source for information on earthquake engineering, hazards mitigation, disaster preparedness, and related topics. IS posts new content frequently, covering a wide range of news topics available below.

As an added service, IS reviews published materials, maintains a database for conferences & continuing education opportunities, a portal to noteworthy Web sites, and other topics of interest.

Detailed Coverage of Recent Disasters

China Earthquake, Sichuan Province

The latest Sichuan earthquake news, images, videos, and statistics are posted here daily.

Cyclone Nargis Devastates Myanmar (Burma)

The latest Cyclone Nargis news, images, videos, and statistics are posted here daily.

Research & Professional News

UCSD Quake Simulation Tests Strength of Precast Concrete

Researchers in San Diego believe advances in the material’s composition could help structures withstand powerful tremors.

Investigators at the UC San Diego Camp Elliott Structural Research Center are testing the strength and flexibility of precast concrete. The goal of the $2.3-million project, funded by government and industry, is to provide better designs to keep buildings from coming apart during large quakes.

Rutgers/PB-Led Research Team Will Study Hundreds Of Bridges

A multidisciplinary team is set to begin surveying and inspecting 400 bridges across the U.S. in the first five-year phase of a Federal Highways Administration-funded Long-Term Bridge Performance program that aims to create a high-quality database on bridge performance.

Led by the Rutgers Center for Advanced Infrastructure and Transportation (CAIT) and Parsons Brinckerhoff, New York City, the team eventually hopes to narrow the 400 bridges down to 20 for high-tech instrumentation and monitoring.

Current Global Disaster News

Aid Rushed to Storm-Hit US States

–Federal authorities in the US are sending aid to the three south-central states hit by last weekend's tornadoes which killed at least 22 people… more and see pictures of Florida wildfire

Earthquake Shakes Northern Virginia

–A magnitude 1.8 earthquake occurred in northern Virginia, 13 miles southwest of Washington, DC… more

Chile Eruption Spurs Evacuations

–Authorities in Chile have ordered the complete evacuation of two towns after a volcano erupting nearby increased its activity, spewing out lava and ash… more

Chile Volcano Prompts Evacuation

–A volcano has erupted in southern Chile, scattering ash over the surrounding area and forcing more than 4,000 people to leave their homes… more and Volcano pictures

Eight Killed in Arkansas Storms

–At least eight people have been killed in Arkansas after violent storms and tornadoes swept across the central United States… more

NY Governor Backs Large Signature Bridge

–Gov. David A. Paterson said he supports construction of a soaring, signature-style Peace Bridge, even though the state’s environmental conservation agency contends such a structure would pose a hazard… more

Tornadoes Tear through Virginia

–Three tornadoes have ripped through the US state of Virginia, injuring more than 200 people and damaging buildings… more and video

New USGS Seismic Hazard Maps Reveal States Facing Quake Threat

–The U.S. Geological Survey recently updated the National Seismic Hazard Maps by incorporating new seismic, geologic, and geodetic information on earthquake rates and associated ground shaking… more

Shaking Continues After 4.7 Quake Hits Reno Nevada

The Truckee Meadows kept rumbling Saturday after magnitude 4.7 quake hit late Friday, emptying store shelves, cracking walls in many northwest Reno homes… more and USGS

New Study Shows Odds High for Big California Quakes

–California has more than a 99% chance of having a magnitude 6.7 or larger earthquake within the next 30 years, according to scientists using a new model to determine the probability of big quakes… more

First Contact to Earthquake Zone

–Scientists have completed the first stage of an ambitious plan to drill down into an earthquake-generating region near Japan… more

Magnitude 5.2 Earthquake Hits Illinois

–An earthquake occurred 35 km (20 miles) SW of Vincennes, Indiana and 205 km (125 miles) SW of Indianapolis, Indiana at 3:36 AM MDT, Apr 18, 2008 (4:36 AM CDT in Illinois)… more and AP report

Tall, Gray and Green

–Reinforced concrete construction in the Pacific Northwest successfullly addresses the challenges of high seismic considerations… more

Rebuilding America Special Report: How to Fix U.S. Infrastructure

–American infrastructure is in trouble, from collapsed bridges to leaking dams. In a yearlong investigation, Popular Mechanics uncovered the fresh ideas, smart engineering and new technology to fix the levees, grid, bridges, ports, and locks… more