However, cancellation of support by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and Tennessee Valley Authority has left these far-flung facilities without an adequate communication network. Substantial USGS research support remains, but seismograph networks will be fully revived only with additional state or University support. However, an earlier Federal policy of funding regional seismograph networks for research on active seismic zones such as those of Tennessee has been abandoned. Complementary field studies are producing important new information on the geologic effects of historic and prehistoric earthquakes of the New Madrid zone. A broad range of geophysical techniques including satellite geodesy and first order leveling are also being employed for measuring present regional deformation.
Preliminary results indicate a high rate of regional strain.
Externally supported research also deals with the dynamics of the New Madrid and San Andreas fault systems. The problem of destructive earthquakes which occur where they shouldn't is a major challenge to geophysical research and public planning. CERI engineering studies have assessed the earthquake vulnerability of the distribution lifelines of the Memphis Light, Gas and Water Division which serves a metropolitan area of about 1 million people. The vulnerability of about 1160 schools, hospitals, bridges and fire stations in Memphis, west Tennessee and northeast Arkansas has also been quantified after site inspections. The dynamics of soils under earthquake stresses is a central topic of CERI engineering research in view of the extensive record of soil failure phenomena, landslides and sand blows, associated with the great New Madrid earthquakes of 1811-1812.