Hi Chris,

I assume you already know that when a vehicle hits a stationary object, such as a pole, the mph from the moving vehicle is twice in force. IE: If you are traveling at 20MPH and hit a pole, your MPH impact force is the same as 40MPH.

In 1989 I was a passenger in a Ford Festiva that hit a pole at a low MPH, I got a whiplash and severe back pain. Fortunately it went away in 3 months.

But come January 2000 I was rear ended while driving my 99 Ford Explorer. My damage was almost $1000 and the Saturn that hit me had $26.00 in damage. But I reinjured my back and the old neck injury produced a condition I still have today, vertigo. While I've had it for more than a year, it took a year for someone who knew their stuff to finally agree that it had nothing to do with my ear systems. Gosh. The affects are slowly disappearing, but almost daily I am reminded in a world that goes around for me faster than most, that I still have it. Drat.

Knopoff so far is the most fascinating scientist I have met. I saw him 3 years ago at UCLA and he was a virtual dynamo. At 73 he had more energy than small children. He demonstrated many parts of the fault rupture process, which included breaking plastic forks and spoons. It was hoot to see that plasticware flying around the office. He truly is brilliant, dynamic, thoughtful and a thousand and one other positives. I loved my visit with him very much.

Petra