The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) announced this month that it will award up to $7 million in grants and cooperative agreements for earthquake research in 2010. Interested researchers can apply online at GRANTS.GOV under the funding opportunity number 10HQPA0001. Applications are due May 13, 2009. The USGS awards approximately 90 research grants annually to universities, state geological surveys and private institutions. Previous grants include cataloging earthquakes to better prepare emergency responders, the public and the media about earthquakes; providing seismic hazard estimates so communities and critical institutions can engineer their buildings and roads to be structurally sound; and providing data on ground shaking to help minimize damage.
Also from the USGS in March, is a new circular discussing the landslide hazard. The circular is entitled “The Landslide Handbook – A Guide to Understanding Landslides”. This handbook is intended to be a resource for people affected by landslides to acquire further knowledge, especially about the conditions that are unique to their neighborhoods and communities. The handbook can be downloaded at http://pubs.usgs.gov/circ/1325/
