(8 of 8)
It is sure to come, someday. Knowing that, Californians have a choice: either to move to an area less prone to quakes, which few are likely to do, or to make the best preparations they can to deal with them. In that sense, there was something miraculous about the Great Quake of '89. Except for the catastrophe on I-880, the loss of life was remarkably small considering the area's population and the power of the tremor. If last week's quake was a dress rehearsal for police, rescue workers, support services and citizens, they performed admirably. And they learned enough to be even better prepared for that long-dreaded day when the earth trembles again.
