Earthquakes present one of the most serious natural hazards with which mankind has to cope.
No other form of natural disaster strikes so rapidly and without warning, or causes so much damage in mere seconds. Protecting against earthquakes is an issue that involves engineers, planners, politicians, and not least, the insurance industry. However, to act effectively, the civil and business communities need information with which the hazard from earthquakes can be quantified, and this information needs to be provided by the scientific community. It is a matter of great importance, therefore, that there should be continuing dialogue and co-operation between these two communities. The business world needs to benefit from the latest scientific understanding of the processes controlling seismic activity, but this can only be done if they can receive that information in a form which is relevant to their needs.