A service of the University of South Carolina Office of Media Relations. For information on faculty availability, contact the Office of Media Relations, 803-777-5400.

Dr. Pradeep Talwani, director of the S.C. Seismic Network and a professor of geophysics at the University of South Carolina, can discuss the earthquake in China, the ramifications in terms of damage to buildings and infrastructure and other potential dangers, including aftershocks.

Talwani, who has studied the 1886 earthquake in Charleston, S.C., says the China earthquake, with a magnitude of 7.9 on the Richter Scale, is much greater than the one in the Palmetto State, which had a 7.3 magnitude.

Talwani will be available after 1 p. m. Tuesday, May 13, for interviews.

To arrange interviews, call Karen Petit at 803-777-5400.