1995 Presidential Address

Abstract

Although I have met many Californians who are terrified of earthquakes, there have actually been relatively few fatalities in the past 75 years. We have relatively strict building codes in the United States and this has undoubtedly saved numerous lives. However, what is the vision for our future? Will we have manageable earthquakes or will we have some true catastrophes? One extremely optimistic view is from a book by Robert Hill entitled “Southern California Geology and Los Angeles Earthquakes” published by the Southern California Academy of Sciences in 1928. The following quote is from the book cover. “This book completely refutes the prediction of Professor Bailey Willis that Los Angeles is about to be destroyed by earthquakes. It proves that this area is not only free from the probability of severe seismic disturbances, but has the least to fear from Acts of God of any city under the American flag."