Statement of editorial and publication policies

The new European Macroseismic Scale 1992 (EMS) is applied to intensity estimation of data collected in field investigations of the 26 June 1993 Pollina (northern Sicily) earthquake and the results are compared with those obtained using the MSK-81 scale. The highest intensity estimated (VI–VII) fits with the low magnitude value (M _L = 4.7) and the low resistance level of buildings is responsible for some unexpected severe damage, thus raising the seismic vulnerability of the area. The tectonic framework shows significant elements of recent activity accounting for the frequent seismicity. The study also evaluated the validity of using vulnerability classes of buildings as defined in the EMS scale in the intensity assessment of historical earthquakes of the area.     

New microcomputer database system for maps

A microcomputer-aided drafting system is used at the Geological Survey of Canada, Calgary, to make large charts and legends for the Geologic Atlas of Canada. Hand-drafting of Atlas maps may be supplemented by a digital geologic map database created by a new microcomputer and videotracing system at CAL-CAD. Video-tracing is more rapid and discriminating than existing rasterscan and digitizing table systems, as an image of the map is multiplexed (overlain) on-screen with AutoCAD. Interactive tracing and storage of each data type as a separate layer of file aids accuracy, and adds great editing power and output flexibility to geological and geophysical maps, cross sections, logs, and other complex diagrams. New digital and old paper databases can be merged into powerful geographic information systems.Read by M. Marchand (Canterra Energy Ltd., Calgary) at Emerging Concepts, MGUS 87 conference, 13–15 April 1987, Redwood City, California.