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Natural Hazard Series
Reducing America´s Risk

First in the 2005 "Natural Hazards Science - Reducing America´s Risk" series

Other Science, Society, Solutions Briefings

		April 29, 2005
		10:00 a.m.
				John Ewert Volcanologist U.S. Geological Survey Thomas Graziano Chief, Office of Climate, Water, and Weather Services National Weather Service Ed Miller Project Manager, Volcanic Ash and Aviation Safety Air Line Pilots Association
		Rayburn House Office Building Room 2325 Washington, DC
	www.usgs.gov/solutions

"Since 1989, when we nearly lost a fully loaded Boeing 747 to a volcanic ash cloud encountered in Alaska, the USGS Volcano hazards Program has developed a strong partnership with our organization. Our accomplishments include alerts and warnings to help pilots avoid dangerous volcanic ash clouds, procedures for pilots to use to minimize aircraft damage when ash clouds are anadvertently encountered, charts showing the locations of hazardous volcanoes relative to jet routes, and procedures for volcanic ash clean-up that minimizes on-the-ground aircraft damage."

-- Air Line Pilots Association, International

As America´s population continues to grow, homes, businesses and recreation sites encroach more and more into areas vulnerable to hazards, such as volcanoes or floods. How can we build safer communities and reduce our risk from natural hazards?

U.S. Geological Survey scientific monitoring of volcanic activity, floods, and earthquakes provides public information and quick response needed to help save lives and protect property. Whether from satellites, streamgages, seismic networks, or field observation, USGS monitoring and response provide a foundation of scientific understanding that can safeguard society and reduce America´s risk.

You are invited to learn how USGS science plays a critical role in helping to prevent natural hazards from becoming disasters. Natural hazards science is no longer just a scientific endeavor - it is a matter of public safety.

Powerpoints:
John Ewert: Natural Hazards Science: Reducing America´s Risk (8.6 MB) Thomas Graziano: NOAA´s NWS and the USGS: Partnering to Meet America´s Water Information Needs (4.2 MB) Ed Miller: Volcanic Ash and Aviation Safety Project (20.9 MB)	PDF (1 MB)
Congressional Sponsors: The following links leave the USGS site.	Hosted by: The following links leave the USGS site.
Senator Jim Demint Representative James Moran Representative Brian Baird	Air Line Pilots Association

Speaker Biographies

John Ewert

John Ewert is a volcanologist with the USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory in Vancouver, WA. John has spent his entire 25-year career with the USGS working on matters pertaining to explosive volcanism, volcano monitoring, and volcano hazards. John has worked since 1986 on the Volcano Disaster Assistance Program, VDAP, the only volcano crisis response team in the world. VDAP’s goal is to reduce lose of life and economic damage in countries that experience volcanic eruptions. John has worked on active volcanoes in Alaska, Mexico, Central and South America, the Philippines, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea.

Thomas Graziano

Thomas Graziano, Acting Chief, Hydrologic Services Division, in the Office of Climate, Water, and Weather Services, at the National Weather Service. Dr. Graziano oversees the National Weather Service’s plans, policies, and procedures for hydrologic warning and forecast operations. He recently served on the American meteorological Society Hydrology Committee. Dr. Graziano has been recognized by the Department of Commerce and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for his work in hydrologic services. In 2003, he was awarded a Bronze Medal for the implementation of new flash flood decision assistance software; and a Bronze Medal in 2001 and a NOAA Administrator’s Award in 1999 for his work to enhance the operational end-to-end Quantitative Precipitation Forecasting process.

Ed Miller

Ed Miller, Project Manager, Volcanic Ash and Aviation Safety, Air Line Pilots Association. Captain Miller retired from United Airlines in 1990 and now works on behalf of the Air Line Pilots Association doing safety work on the effects of natural hazards on air carrier operations, specifically those generated by earthquakes and volcanoes. Captain Miller was nominated twice for the Flight Safety Foundation’s coveted Laura Tabor Barbour Air Safety Award and in 2001 was presented with the Foundation’s Presidential Citation for Outstanding Achievement in Safety Leadership. In 2001, the USGS presented Captain Miller with its John Wesley Powell Award, the highest recognition given to non-USGS employees; and he serves as an adviser to the Volcanic Ash and Aviation Safety Issues Advisory Board of the Office of Federal Coordination for Meteorology.

For information on Reducing America´s Risk Briefings on Capitol Hill, please call 703-648-4455.