USGS assists Haiti in earthquake recovery

The U.S. Geological Survey researchers said they are also providing geological information that will assist with the establishment of new building codes in the country.

The most recent USGS scientists traveling to Haiti are Carol Prentice and Rich Briggs, who are working with scientists from the University of Texas to measure coastal uplift.

The current study follows the work of USGS geophysicist Walter Mooney and a team that was in Haiti Jan. 26-Feb. 3 to survey Port-au-Prince to identify geologic and engineering factors that contributed to the greatest damage from the shaking.

Mooney said new Haitian building codes will be based, in part, on his team's research of geologic conditions. Currently, Haiti has no such standards -- a factor that contributed to the recent widespread devastation.

"It's imperative that we move quickly," Mooney said, "because in some areas reconstruction has already begun that may not withstand another earthquake of this magnitude."

The USGS scientists also installed seismic monitoring stations to precisely measure the location, frequency and severity of aftershocks, allowing scientists to identify the most dangerous and vulnerable areas.

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