The odds of a major earthquake
The Kobe earthquake in Japan sent tremors across this country as the destruction proved that even the best earthquake-proof structures may not withstand a severe earthquake. Seismologists warn that a tremendous strain is building up along the faults in California.
But the golden state is not the only place atop shaky ground. In fact, the only areas in the United States that have no chance of a measurable earthquake are south Florida, the region around New Orleans, and south Texas.
Seattle: Shifting plates under the ocean could produce a quake of 9 or higher
San Francisco: 50% chance of a 7.5 quake in the next 30 years
Los Angeles: Small faults directly under the city could produce quakes as large a 7.6
Salt Lake City: 20% chance of a large quake in the next 50 years on the Wasatch Fault
New Madrid, Mo: Major quake could damage St. Louis because of instability of fault
Charleston, S.C: Major quake likely to be similar to the 1886 quake that killed more than 2,000 people
Boston: Better than a 50% chance of a 6.3 quake in the next 200 years
