If something like this did ever happen, any point of rebuilding on the west coast?
shareCertainly not to the extent we've done it in the past, I hope, but the same things which drew people in large numbers to the area to begin with, will draw them back again. Good weather, the ocean, long growing seasons, strategic location for national defense, etc.
shareEvery area in the US has the potential for natural disaster. Why does anybody live in Tornado Alley? What about the gulf coast which is hit by hurricanes regularly? Ask the victims of "Superstorm Sandy" in the Northeast why they haven't moved to a new area.
Earthquakes can be devastating but they are relatively rare. Many other disasters are more frequent yet they don't deter people from living in the affected areas.
I live in Phoenix, AZ. It is one of the best situated cities in the nation. Almost zero threat of hurricanes, tsunamis, earthquakes, tornados, etc. Just incredible heat 4 months out of the year, for which there is plenty of swimming and cold air conditioning.
And yes, I have lived in L.A. and was there for Northridge in 1994 and other decent-sized quakes. Let me tell you it does not feel good once you realize you are living on a time bomb.
Well, they probably wouldn't have another major earthquake for a hundred years, and since everything was wiped out anyway, they could replan and rebuild the whole state to better earthquake standards.
So, yeah.
Hey, they already rebuilt San Francisco in 1907, and it just got bigger and richer.