Superquake Why Earthquakes Occ

During the next 30 to 50 years, the Los Angeles area has a 50 percent chance of being hit by a major earthquake, one above eight on the Richter Scale, predicts Ritchie (The Ring of Fire). Newer buildings will stand while older ones crumble, he maintains, although shards of glass will fly from all structures, severely wounding many. The greatest dangers, however, will be caused by the disruption of public utilities, especially gas and electricity, and, worse, by toxic chemicals, both in storage and in transit; there might even be leakage of radioactive materials. This potpourri of information about temblors and the tsunamis that often follow earthquakes, though randomly presented, is nonetheless riveting, as it offers insights into past major quakes in North America, why and how they occur, and what sort of areas are most vulnerable. (February)