White House Rallies Public, Private Efforts To Prepare For Earthquakes

"WASHINGTON -- Spurred by renewed fears of the fabled “Big One” shattering the West Coast, the Obama administration on Tuesday promoted stronger earthquake-preparedness efforts as part of a first-of-its-kind White House summit.

Private foundation grants will fund new research at universities in California and Washington state, the Forest Service will streamline the placement of seismic monitoring stations and a presidential order will tighten standards for new federal buildings.

“While no one can predict earthquakes, the study of natural hazards and their causes and impacts has put us on the path to creating more effective tools to prevent these hazards from becoming disasters,” Interior Secretary Sally Jewell said."

Michael Doyle reports for McClatchy February 2, 2016.

SEE ALSO:

"U.S. Quake Warning System Could Save Lives When Seconds Count" (NPR)