These questions are especially intended for Don and Dr. Whiteside.

In the past you both discussed earthquake forecasting programs which you were involved with. And the main question is, “What is taking place with them?”

Is any progress being made? Have the people who were in charge of the programs stopped their efforts? If not then will there be some date that can we expect to hear announcements that the programs are operational and that forecasts are being generated and circulated?

I myself have a particular interest in this. My own forecasting program points to multiple possible locations for an expected earthquake. And one way of reducing the number of locations is to compare notes with other forecasters. If a powerful one is about to occur somewhere then more than one person or group should be able to spot its approach. With a destructive earthquake which occurred in the Philippines area last March I believe that there were at least 4 groups or individuals including myself which had data which pointed to a possible approaching earthquake in that area. Before I myself circulate an earthquake warning or advisory I will almost always check Shan’s earthquake board to see if he has any listed for the same area.

This is not a single direction effort. I periodically send other earthquake forecasters warning data by e-mail.