HR: 1400h
AN: S33B-09    [Abstracts]
TI: USGS Training in Afghanistan: Modern Earthquake Hazards Assessments
AU: Medlin, J D
EM: medlin@usgs.gov
AF: U.S. Geological Survey, 345 Middlefield Rd. MS 977, Menlo Park, CA 94025, United States
AU: * Garthwaite, M
EM: mgarthwaite@usgs.gov
AF: U.S. Geological Survey, 345 Middlefield Rd. MS 977, Menlo Park, CA 94025, United States
AU: Holzer, T
EM: holzer@usgs.gov
AF: U.S. Geological Survey, 345 Middlefield Rd. MS 977, Menlo Park, CA 94025, United States
AU: McGarr, A
EM: mcgarr@usgs.gov
AF: U.S. Geological Survey, 345 Middlefield Rd. MS 977, Menlo Park, CA 94025, United States
AU: Bohannon, R
EM: bohannon@usgs.gov
AF: U.S. Geological Survey, 345 Middlefield Rd. MS 977, Menlo Park, CA 94025, United States
AU: Bergen, K
EM: kristian.bergen@gmail.com
AF: U.S. Geological Survey, 345 Middlefield Rd. MS 977, Menlo Park, CA 94025, United States
AU: Vincent, T
EM: tvincent@usgs.gov
AF: U.S. Geological Survey, 345 Middlefield Rd. MS 977, Menlo Park, CA 94025, United States
AB: Afghanistan is located in a tectonically active region where ongoing deformation has generated rugged mountainous terrain, and where large earthquakes occur frequently. These earthquakes can present a significant hazard, not only from strong ground shaking, but also from liquefaction and extensive land sliding. The magnitude 6.1 earthquake of March 25, 2002 highlighted the vulnerability of Afghanistan to such hazards, and resulted in over 1000 fatalities. The USGS has provided the first of a series of Earth Science training courses to the Afghan Geological Survey (AGS). This course was concerned with modern earthquake hazard assessments, and is an integral part of a larger USGS effort to provide a comprehensive seismic-hazard assessment for Afghanistan. Funding for these courses is provided by the US Agency for International Development Afghanistan Reconstruction Program. The particular focus of this training course, held December 2-6, 2006 in Kabul, was on providing a background in the seismological and geological methods relevant to preparing for future earthquakes. Topics included identifying active faults, modern tectonic theory, geotechnical measurements of near-surface materials, and strong-motion seismology. With this background, participants may now be expected to educate other members of the community and be actively involved in earthquake hazard assessments themselves. The December, 2006, training course was taught by four lecturers, with all lectures and slides being presented in English and translated into Dari. Copies of the lectures were provided to the students in both hardcopy and digital formats. Class participants included many of the section leaders from within the AGS who have backgrounds in geology, geophysics, and engineering. Two additional training sessions are planned for 2007, the first entitled "Modern Concepts in Geology and Mineral Resource Assessments," and the second entitled "Applied Geophysics for Mineral Resource Assessments."
DE: 7209 Earthquake dynamics (1242)
DE: 7221 Paleoseismology (8036)
DE: 7223 Earthquake interaction, forecasting, and prediction (1217, 1242)
DE: 7260 Theory
DE: 7294 Seismic instruments and networks (0935, 3025)
SC: Seismology [S]
MN: 2007 Joint Assembly