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Midwest Earthquake Hazard Downplayed

Posted by kdawson on from the whole-lotta-shakin dept.

swellconvivialguy writes "Next year marks the bicentennial of the 1811-12 New Madrid earthquakes, with earthquake drills and disaster tourism events planned across the Midwest, including the Great Central US ShakeOut. But despite the fact that Earthquake Hazard Maps equate the New Madrid seismic zone with California, geologist Seth Stein says new science (especially GPS data) tells us that the hazard has been significantly overestimated, and that we should not spend billions on earthquake preparations in the Midwest."

2 of 96 comments (clear)

  1. Re:bold vs. coward by captainpanic · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    It is a bold man that tells people that they shouldn't take out insurance - and even bolder given the level of uncertainties there are in seismology. That said, IANAS.

    And it is a coward that tells people to remain very careful when danger is overestimated - and an even bigger coward if he does that so he doesn't have to take responsibility if it goes wrong. Especially when it is his job to estimate the risk.

  2. It's due to global warming. by Burnhard · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    These earthquakes are caused by global warming. Please mod me troll. Thanks very much.