Hi Roger,

You need to generate printed copies of these postings and then refer to them when you have questions or comments like that. The same things get repeated over and over.

This is just one example of how various types of earthquake forecasting information can be valuable to different groups.

If disaster mitigation groups have even a few hours warning that they will need to respond to a deadly earthquake in the near future then that saved time can result in saved lives. They can’t respond in an instant like the local fire department. And, they don’t even need to know that an approaching earthquake is going to occur in Haiti or any other specific area though that information would certainly help.

So, how can they learn that they need to get ready for an earthquake? They don’t forecast them themselves. So they have to be told by researchers such as myself. And so far there is no formal network in place anywhere for circulating that type of information. People have to circulate it as best as they can.

The creation of a formal warning network like that is being discussed by appropriate parties at this time. The U.N. should have established such a network decades ago. I am guessing that internal politics at the U.N. have kept it from ever getting developed.

These are personal opinions.