unfortunately. I heard it was a good meeting, with some new results on the Sumatran earthquake, probably really an M9.15 rather than M9.3, rupture extended further north than previously thought, making it the longest rupture on record by a fair ways.

Quick estimation of damaged areas is useful, although, as you say, it is only one part of an adequate government response to a major earthquake - one should also be prepared and have people and equipment to handle the problems.

John