Actually the most powerful quake in the written history of these United States was in the midwest. The Mississippi ran backwards for a bit of time

You can't predict them, I don't know if I'd want to know I think you can only be as prepared as best you can and do your best. It's interesting in the SFGATE article the people lining up at the hardware store for flashlights AFTER the quake

Show of hands: if USGS could tell us "8.0 in 30 seconds" would you want to know?