(NEWARK) A tsunami generated by a powerful earthquake in Japan sent high waves onto beaches in Hawaii and Crescent City, California, on Nov. 15. Although no fatalities were reported, and property damage was limited, the tsunami has raised new fears about seismic activity around the world and its potential impact for tragedy.

Alexander Gates, chair of the Rutgers-Newark Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, is available to provide information and insight on the current situation, as well as the potential for seismic activity in the United States and elsewhere in the world.

Dr. Gates is co-author of the book, "Encyclopedia of Earthquakes and Volcanoes New Edition" (Facts-on-File Inc., third edition, 2006) and author of A to Z of Earth Scientists (Facts on File Inc., 2002). He holds a Ph.D. from the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and a B.S. from SUNY/Stony Brook. His special areas of interest are structural geology and tectonics -- including fracture analysis and shear zones -- as well as geologic mapping and radon analysis.

Dr. Gates was the Newark Museums chief advisor in developing its natural science exhibit, Dynamic Earth.

He can be reached at 973/353-5034, 732/331-5605,or agates@andromeda.rutgers.edu