Coming Earthquake

Within the next 50 years, according to science writer Heppenheimer, it is virtually certain that an earthquake of 8 or higher on the Richter scale will strike along the San Andreas Fault near Los Angeles with the same force as the 'quake which hit San Francisco in 1906. There will be considerable loss of life, buildings will collapse, the transport and public utilities systems will be severely disrupted. That is not a script for a disaster film nor the plot of science fiction, the author warns, but scientific deduction. In this arresting analysis of the history and current state of seismology, Heppenheimer traces the spectacular advances which have been made in that science in the past century, considering in detail the contributions of those who have laid the groundwork for predicting when temblors will take place. He also demonstrates difficulties faced by seismologists, who work in a comparatively young field. Illustrations not seen by PW. (September)