Deep Tremors Could
Portend Earthquakes
By Robert Sanders

Nadeau

UC Berkeley seismologists have discovered mysterious tremors deep under the San Andreas Fault that may portend future earthquakes. The continuous tremors are "a kind of chatter" emanating from a depth of 20 to 40 kilometers below the surface, near the boundary between the Earth's crust and the hot mantle and much deeper than the 15 kilometer limit of most earthquakes, said study leader Berkeley Lab guest Robert Nadeau. To assist in his study, Nadeau used Berkeley Lab's Center for Computational Seismology. Full story.

Update Addresses, Name
Changes for W-2 Forms

Employees who have moved or changed their name during the last year and have not updated this information with the Lab must do so before Jan. 10 in order to receive their 2004 W-2 form. Check your most recent paycheck or visit the Employee Self Service website for the current information on record.  Changes can be made on the website using your LDAP login name and password. Employees with an international address or without access to the web should send update requests to Human Resources in writing or via e-mail. Go here to see a listing of Human Resources contacts for each division.

Deep Discounts For
Runaround Shirts

The Employee Activities Association will be selling 2004 Runaround t-shirts for $5 each in the cafeteria lobby today, from noon to 1 p.m. A limited supply of large-size shirts will be available.

Be sure to head up to the cafeteria today between 3 and 4:30 p.m. to celebrate the holidays with your co-workers. There'll be lots of good food, beverages, and music, plus brief remarks from Director Chu.

Microsoft Database
Expert Speaks Friday

Gray

Jim Gray, manager of Microsoft's Bay Area Research Center, will be the next speaker in the Computing Sciences Seminar Series. Gray will discuss "Where the Rubber Meets the Sky: Bridging the Gap Between Databases and Science," on Friday at 1 p.m. in Building 50A-5132. His talk summarizes his efforts to build connections between database technology and the needs of the astronomy community in building the World Wide Telescope, which uses data posted online by astronomers to create a "virtual observatory."

The Department of Energy has authorized the exercise of a competitive contract option to extend the University of Tennessee-Battelle LLC management and operating contract of the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory for an additional five years. The current UT-Battelle contract expires on March 31, 2005. DOE and UT-Battelle officials will begin discussions for the contract extension that is expected to become effective on April 1, 2005. The estimated value of the contract is approximately $4.8 billion over the next five years. Full story.