While many editors look at an anniversary story as an easy, little-effort way to fill up editorial space around ads, combine that with the fascination of earthquakes (especially in California) and one has the makings of a “blockbuster” anniversary-more danger ahead piece, notes Grumpy Editor.
Such was the case over the weekend when Associated Press marked the 20th anniversary of the San Francisco earthquake known as the Loma Prieta.
The lengthy story (a half-page with art in some papers) recapped the aftereffects of the 6.9-magnitude shaker that killed 63 people, injured almost 3,800 and caused $10 billion in damage.
Then, in usual efforts to shake up readers, Jason Dearen wrote: While bridges and landmarks have been fortified, “other earthquake safety problems are far from fully addressed in this region where experts say another major temblor is certain to strike.”
Fifteen paragraphs later, Dearen recycled the prediction angle with a forecast from last year that “another large earthquake is destined to occur --- scientists in 2008 said there is a 63 percent probability of a comparable quake in the Bay area over the next 30 years.”
Forecast of another large quake is nothing new. No doubt about it, major shakers are in California’s future. The Golden State, lined with faults, is in earthquake territory.
Such predictions make the rounds, and print, three or four times a year.
Yet, long-time Californians are immune to constant reminders of “big ones” to come.
Nevertheless, look for another story in October, 2014, marking the 25th anniversary of the Bay area’s Loma Prieta quake --- with a prediction of more rumblings in the future.
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