Since 1988 two events have profoundly impacted the operations of the Seismic Resource Center.
- The Loma Prieta, California (World Series) earthquake in October 1989
- The Browning earthquake prediction for the central U.S. for December 3, 1990.
Both resulted in an unprecedented demand for information about earthquakes and earthquake preparedness. During the 14 months between October 1989 to December 1990:
- Over 350 presentations were given.
- More than 200 interviews were provided to both print and broadcast media.
- Several thousand phone calls were answered.
- Roughly 100 tours of CERI were given.
- Over 12,000 information packets were mailed.
In addition, the Seismic Resource Center produced a 6-part series on earthquakes for local cable television and developed a 50-minute videotape on earthquake preparedness that was distributed to Memphis higher education institutions and shown several times on a community cable television channel.
After December 1990, outreach activities continued at a slower pace, until the Northridge earthquake of January 17, 1994. The Northridge earthquake and the severe ice storm in Tennessee and Mississippi on February 11, 1994, stimulated great demand for information about the scientific aspects of earthquakes and earthquake preparedness in general. The 1991-1993 period of reduced demand for public information provided opportunity to explore ideas for new directions in earthquake education. Several ideas are currently being developed, including an electronic outreach system, and a mini-museum and visitor center, both designed to serve the scientific community as well as other larger professional and educational user communities.
