<p>I have lived in California my entire life (over 50 years), in several different counties, and I have experienced numerous earthquakes, a few of which have been considered major. I do not fear earthquakes. I probably should have more of a healthy respect for them, but to the contrary, I actually find them moderately enjoyable. I have never suffered personal injury, or property damage, and had either of those been the case, maybe I would feel differently about them. I lived in Los Angeles area during the 1971 San Fernando 6.5 earthquake. As best I recall, it shook pretty hard, but I don’t recall being afraid. I lived in the Eureka area in 1980 during the 7.2 earthquake. It was probably the scariest earthquake I have experienced. It was a long lasting, strong rolling earthquake. It seemed to last forever. It caused a bridge to collapse near Ferndale (30 miles south of Eureka). It occurred at night, and woke us - so that may have been part of the reason for the memory that it left. I lived just north of San Francisco in 1989 during the 7.1 Loma Prieta earthquake. It was close to dinner time. We were awake. It also lasted a long time, but we did not feel afraid. I don’t mean to minimize them, but in a way, it is like an amusement park ride. I apologize, to anyone who has experienced personal injury or major property damage, for my light hearted characterization. I guess that I am only trying to calm those who live in fear of experiencing an earthquake. I am personally much more afraid of a tornado or a hurricane. </p>
<p>As for the “big one”. Yes, there probably will be one. As someone earlier in the thread commented, it is probably is a matter of when, and not if. On the other hand, I do recall in the 70’s all the talk and predictions about California sliding off into the ocean (after the big one). There was even a song about it. Yet, here were are, 30-35 years later.</p>