<br><font size=3>Dear Colleagues -<br>
<br>
As most of you know, we have been working for over a year on redesigning<br>
the Latest Earthquake pages. We have implemented an interactive map,
list<br>
and filter that are highly flexible and easy to use. The various
earthquake<br>
products are now organized to be event-centric, rather than product centric,<br>
to provide the most complete and holistic view of an event. In addition
to<br>
the changes you see on the pages, in the background we have transitioned
to<br>
PDL and QuakeML so that we have more flexibility to receive and render<br>
products (the current input methods and formats are also still accepted).<br>
<br>
Other features to note:<br>
*The pages now display 30 days of earthquakes<br>
*New map layers on the basemap including street, topography, aerial views,
faults, and<br>
hazard<br>
*Display of all contributed solutions/products<br>
*Display of phase data (when available)<br>
*Centralized downloads page</font>
<br><font size=3>*Continued acceptance of link add-ons <br>
<br>
The beta version has been available on the event pages for several months,<br>
and has been rapidly evolving based on public feedback and input from GHSC and
ESC.<br>
We would like to receive your input and feedback on the pages. </font>
<br><font size=3>(URL </font><a href=http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/><font size=3><u>http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/</u></font></a><font size=3>map/)
</font>
<br><font size=3>We ask that you take a close look at the pages and
send any feedback you have to<u>:<br>
</u></font><a href=mailto:ngeq_feedback@usgs.gov></a>
<br><font size=3><u>ngeqmaps@usgs.gov</u>.<br>
</font>
<br><font size=3>This is a public beta so please share this information
with interested colleagues. </font>
<br><font size=3><br>
We hope to replace the current Recent Earthquake pages in early April,
so please</font>
<br><font size=3> take the time in the next two weeks (by March 23)
to submit your feedback. </font>
<br><font size=3>We can then evaluate the release date based on the input
we get. </font>
<br><font size=3>In general, your comments are welcome at any time.<br>
<br>
We know that change can take time to get used to, but we hope that you<br>
will appreciate the features and functionality that the new pages offer.
I would like to thank</font>
<br><font size=3>our developers for their hard work, our colleagues who
have provided their reviews, and all of you in advance</font>
<br><font size=3> for your feedback. <br>
</font>
<br><font size=3>We look forward to hearing from you.<br>
<br>
Best regards,<br>
<br>
Lynda Lastowka, Lisa Wald and the development team.<br>
</font><font size=2 face="sans-serif"><br>
<br>
************************************<br>
Lynda Lastowka<br>
USGS<br>
303-273-8422</font>