Skip to main content

Predicting Earthquakes A Scientific and Technical Evaluation, With Implications for Society (1976) / Chapter Skim
Currently Skimming:

Social Implications
Pages 27-30

The Chapter Skim interface presents what we've algorithmically identified as the most significant single chunk of text within every page in the chapter.
Select key terms on the right to highlight them within pages of the chapter.


From page 27...
... Little social benefit can result from earthquake predictions, no matter how accurate and precise they are, unless careful planning for response to those predictions has been undertaken and unless appropriate response agencies are prepared to implement those plans. Such planning must take into account uncertainties about the time and magnitude of a predicted quake.
Read the entire page →
From page 28...
... The Panel strongly believes that earthquake predictions should be accompanied by estimates of confidence level and by sufficient backup data so that their merits can be evaluated. One advantage of acquiring experience in social response to earthquake predictions even before operational prediction systems are developed is that it can offer guidance concerning response to false alarms as well.
Read the entire page →
From page 29...
... These definitions and boundaries will help seismologists and others in converting earthquake prediction as a scientific achievement to its use as a social tool. Response Agencies The report by the NRC Panel recommends that the primary responsibility for planning and responding to earthquake predictions should be assigned to federal, state, local, and private agencies with broad concern for community and economic planning and for disaster preparedness and response, rather than to newly formed agencies established especially to deal with earthquake prediction and warning or to agencies primarily concerned with emergency response.
Read the entire page →
From page 30...
... Needs will exist for backup communications, on-the-scene law enforcement, fire control, utilities management, and the ability to quickly muster recovery teams with heavy equipment. One of the principal concerns of individuals in or evacuated from a disaster area is protection of life and property.
Read the entire page →

Key Terms

  • false alarms
  • earthquake prediction
  • response agencies
  • social response
  • operational prediction

  • social policy
  • nrc panel
  • unpredicted earthquakes
  • emergency response
  • needless social

  • social tool
  • converting earthquake
  • heavy equipment
  • muster recovery
  • legal implications

  • useful warnings
  • engineering design
  • law enforcement
  • ate response
  • earthquake engineers

  • issue seismological
  • economic planning
  • backup data
  • routinely interact
  • appropriate social

  • intended primarily
  • unless careful
  • conflict exists
  • social scientists
  • provide socially


    • This material may be derived from roughly machine-read images, and so is provided only to facilitate research.
    More information on Chapter Skim is available.