Seismic Hazard and Public Safety

TL;DR

This paper emphasizes the importance of preparing for the largest potential seismic events to enhance public safety, criticizing misrepresentations of ISSO's stance on seismic hazard preparedness.

Contribution

It clarifies ISSO's position on seismic hazard preparedness and promotes awareness of the need to prepare for worst-case seismic events.

Findings

ISSO advocates for readiness against the largest potential earthquakes.

The organization's position is available in multiple languages.

The note corrects misrepresentations of ISSO's views.

Abstract

International Seismic Safety Organization (ISSO) has been formed to promote public safety by being prepared for the largest potential events which can happen at any time, rather than for certain probable events which have been exceeded in several recent earthquakes with disastrous consequences. The position of ISSO is available now in English, Italian, Russian, Hebrew, Spanish, and Hindi at http://www.issoquake.org. That position has been misrepresented elsewhere and this short note is to counter such inaccurate viewpoints.