[en] The New England Seismotectonic Study is a program of investigations designed to better understand the manifestations and causes of seismicity in New England and adjacent areas, in order to assess the seismic hazard and its variation within the region, for the intelligent selection of nuclear power sites. The study, which officially began July 1, 1976, is a cooperative effort with several universities and State and Federal Geological Surveys and is principally funded by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. The initial effort is aimed at: the compilation and analysis of the available pertinent information on seismicity, geology, and geophysics in the region; the acquisition of new information by investigating previously well defined problems; and the development and organization of a comprehensive program that in five years, will provide an overall assessment of the seismic hazard of the region