Don't get me wrong -- no one can stop the devestation that will happen. It is just we are more prepared than anyone else.
In building design, there are 2 ways to deal with earthquakes: flex or overbuild. The California approach of flex seems to be superior (witness Kobe).
But I am not smug, and thank God, neither are the people in charge of California earthquake preparedness. It still amazes me that every single overpass in California has been strengthened (I saw one in progress -- it is rhebar strung in a spring configuration and then concrete).
If we are smug, it is because we keep working at it -- it is our LACK of smugness that is what makes us prepared. An 8.0 at 2:30 pm in SoCal will kill thousands. An 8.0 in New York, Chicago, Memphis, Pittsburgh, etc. will kill millions.
And what about the week(s) after? How many people in Memphis have an earthquake kit with water, food, radio, etc?
I spend a lot of time on the road and I look at new brick buildings (for example) and say to myself, "won't last 10 seconds in a 5.0."
Surely flags will fly at half-staff in most places south of the border.......