Volcano Information Project Date: Fri, 14 Feb 1997 17:09:56 -0500 Message-Id: <199702142209.RAA22061@igsrsparc4.er.usgs.GOV> X-Sender: srussell@opsmail.er.usgs.gov Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" To: "USGS Employees" From: "Susan Russell-Robinson, Reston, VA" (Susan Russell-Robinson) Subject: Volcano Information Project X-Mailer: February 14, 1997 NOTE TO: USGS Employees FROM: Gordie Eaton SUBJECT: Volcano Information Project The first in a series of movies on volcanoes erupted on the screen last weekend. "Dante's Peak" is expected to increase public awareness of the U.S. Geological Survey, because the story centers on a team of USGS volcanologists from the Cascades Volcano Observatory, in Vancouver, Washington. That information is accurate, even if the building that is shown in the movie is not. Moviegoers will be barraged with a laundry list of various volcanic hazards. In anticipation that they may turn to the USGS for answers to questions that form in their minds, several groups of USGS employees attended previews of "Dante's Peak" in San Francisco, Seattle, Portland, Oregon, and Washington, D.C. The groups assessed how the USGS is portrayed and what questions moviegoers are likely to have. A team at the Cascade Volcano Observatory took the lead to put together a comprehensive set of questions and answers (Q & A's). If you are asked questions about volcanoes or how the volcano hazard program really interacts with communities threatened by a volcanic eruption, you refer to the questions and answers at the following web site: http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/News/DantesPeak/ In addition, we have worked to have all our information centers ( in particular our ESIC network as well as State affiliates, offices of USGS State Representatives, and Volcano Observatories) stocked with materials for our customers. Black-and-white fact sheets and activity pages are available through the USGS automated fax system called EarthFAX. Dial (703) 648-4888 and follow the voice prompts. Additional information is available on the Internet through the USGS Home Page. Also, check our new USGS Intranet pages ... Office of Outreach at: http://www.usgs.gov:8888/OUTREACH/ If you attend "Dante's Peak" or "Volcano...LA," you may meet American Red Cross volunteers who are offering free volcano information jointly prepared by the American Red Cross and USGS. Say hello and thank them for their efforts. They are not only providing accurate volcano information to the public, but also are increasing public awareness of the USGS and the excellent work done by each and every one of you.