In article X9XRe.82236$084.46538@attbi_s22,
"Jay Honeck" wrote:

Next: The end of the west coast, since it is in an earthquake area.
Imagine Silicon Valley vanishing in a major quake...

Silicon Valley is another perfect example of human arrogance.

Hey -- wait -- I've got it! Let's build a 100 billion dollar
infrastructure on top of a major fault line!

And when (not if) it is destroyed, there will be people begging the Federal
Government to come rebuild it.

He who lives in glass houses...

http://quake.wr.usgs.gov/prepare/fac...leston1895.gif

Shows the New Madrid fault seismic extends into Iowa.

To quote another page...

A major earthquake in this area (7.5 or greater) happens every 200-300
years (the last one in 1812). There is a 25% chance of such a disaster
by the year 2040. A New Madrid Fault rupture this size would be felt
throughout half the United States and damage expected in 20 states or
more. Missouri alone could anticipate losses of at least $6 billion (in
1990 dollars) from such an event.