The real problem, of course, is the density of the population where that earthquake hit. A few years ago, not far from here, we had a 7.9. The epicenter was up in the Alaska Range only about a hundred miles away. The only real damage was to the highway system. Even the Alyeska Pipeline, which runs through the area, was only minimally affected. But try to image what a 7.9 would have done to Los Angeles !