AN EDITOR'S FAREWELL

Abstract

Over a year ago, I expressed my desire to step down as editor of Seismological Research Letters , in great part because I enjoyed it so much that it was starting to take over my life. I now hand over the helm of SRL to Jonathan Lees and the new enthusiasm and expertise he will surely bring to this publication. I have no doubt that Jonathan will be a great editor as he ushers SRL fully into the electronic era and expands it into new areas with the help and support of SSA's members. During my four years as editor, I followed the guidelines set forth by the SSA Publications Committee but with flexibility, as Susan Hough, past SRL editor, advised in her farewell letter in 2006 ( SRL 77-6). It has been my hope to use flexibility in fostering communication on issues or ideas that may have had trouble seeing the light of day anywhere else. Sharing the experience of prior editors, I have to say that although Opinion pieces were never plentiful, they always seemed to fall onto my lap when I was almost panicking—some offered as a gift by a brave member, others aided by the gentle nudging of an SSA staff or board member, and others from my direct solicitation at seismological meetings. The Opinion in this issue, however, is unusual as it …