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<br />e <br /> <br />e <br /> <br />e <br /> <br />PSOO-l <br /> <br />David G. Howell <br />U.S. Geological Survey <br />650.329.5430 <br />dhowell@usgs.gov <br /> <br />CROWDING THE RIM: INTERNATIONAL GEOHAZARDS SUMMIT, 2001 <br /> <br />Brynn L. Bemis(l), Suzanne L. Frew(2), David G. Howell(I), Donald Kennedy(3), J. Taylor Perron(l) <br /> <br />I) U.S. Geological Survey, Menlo Park, CA <br />2) Suzanne Frew & Associates <br />3) Stanford University <br /> <br />By the middle of this century, nearly two billion people will live within a one-day overland commute of <br />the Pacific Ocean. This concentrated population is converging with economic globalization to magnifY <br />and extend the disruptive impact of earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tropical storms, and other natural <br />hazards common to the region. <br /> <br />In an increasingly interconnected economy, the effects of a natural disaster in one Pacific nation will <br />almost certainly be felt around the Pacific Rim. The service industries and manufacturing depend on <br />rapid dissemination of information and products, yet the lifelines for communication, transportation, <br />water, and energy resources all are subject to periodic disruption by natural hazards. Billions of dollars <br />will be invested over the next few years in undersea cables that are vulnerable to earthquakes and <br />landslides. Air cargo traffic is increasing along routes that periodically become choked with volcanic <br />ash. How will the new multi-billion dollar per day global economy weather such disruptions? Because a <br />regional approach to decision-making is essential in this economically and strategically important part of <br />the world, understanding local disasters within a regional framework will allow for more informed <br />decisions by those responsible for capital distribution in the Pacific region. <br /> <br />In August 2001, a public-private summit entitled "Crowding the Rim" will be held at Stanford University <br />to address the challenges confronting institutions and organizations investing in the rapidly growing <br />region bordering the Pacific Ocean. Stanford University, the U. S. Geological Survey, the Circum-Pacific <br />Council, and American Red Cross have partnered to organize this important event. Supporting <br />organizations include Chevron Corporation, the Asia Society, the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, <br />International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics, International Geographical Union, International Union <br />of Geological Sciences, American Geological Institute and American Association of Petroleum <br />Geologists. <br /> <br />A variety of related activities are planned. The Asia Society is currently organizing a workshop to <br />introduce the objectives of 'Crowding the Rim' to key players in the Pacific community, while a high <br />school curriculum is being developed to communicate the essence of the summit to the region's future <br />decision-makers. During the summit itself approximately 250 experts from around the Pacific will <br />examine the economic and societal ramifications of impending natural disasters. Preliminary risk maps <br />that show the spatial extent of various hazards will be developed through game simulations and <br />structured workshops. These exercises will be facilitated by digital data on natural hazards, <br />demographics, resources, and infrastructure assembled by the USGS in a geographic information system <br />(GIS). Post-summit workshops convened throughout the Pacific community will further the dialog on the <br />convergence of natural hazards with the Pacific Rim economy to highlight the need for a global response <br />to the challenge presented. <br />