Hi All,

I don't know how many of you use the Topo Maps the USGS includes in their links from earthquake reports, but those maps are a wonderful addition.

For instance this morning I was scoping out the 1.6 Bennett Valley earthquake to see if it was near the epicenter of the Sept 99 4.2 quake. It was within a mile, but not in the same place, yet right in there where most of the quake activity has occurred of late. These quakes are occurring within 5 miles of the Rodgers Creek Fault. From two scientists Don and I have been told to watch for quakes within 5 miles on either side of the fault and of late, we've had a number.

I also took a tour around the Topo maps for the 3.1 quake occurring in Oakland yesterday. It is within 3 blocks of a hospital, which of course is one of the greatest concerns for emergency planners for upcoming moderate to large earthquakes on the Hayward Fault. Virtually every hospital along the San Leandro to Berkeley area sits very close to the fault. I'm not sure when the last 3.0 quake occurred in this area, but I do know it has been a very long time.

Though some don't feel that earthquake prediction is moving along at the pace they would like it to, we have to express our thanks to the USGS for investing in the technology they have. If it were not for this finely tuned technology we would not be able to see what they do and have an understanding about where earthquakes happen and the potential for possible activity in the future.

Petra