<font size=2 face="sans-serif">Dear Colleagues,</font>
<br>
<br><font size=2 face="sans-serif">I think that saying the hazard methodology
has had a series of spectacular failures overstates the case. The
maximum earthquake used in the models may have been wrong, but we work
with the understanding we have at the time. Perhaps these "failures"
should caution us to act conservatively in considering lowering the hazard
when faced with conflicting evidence, as in the case of the New Madrid
seismic zone.</font>
<br>
<br><font size=2 face="sans-serif">Buddy</font>
<br><font size=2 face="sans-serif">__________________________________________________________________<br>
Eugene Schweig<br>
Director<br>
Geology and Environmental Change Science Center<br>
U.S. Geological Survey<br>
<br>
MS980 Federal Center
(303)
236-5344<br>
Denver, CO 80225-0046
Fax: (303) 236-5690<br>
___________________________________________________________________<br>
</font>