EQF;

> Highly destructive earthquakes rarely occur here in the U.S. And there is no strong public pressure to prepare for them, a ridiculous situation.

You just explained the reasons. If they happened here more often, funding would be available.

> I also personally feel that many of the scientists who should be lighting fires underneath government officials in order to see that more funding for the important research like that is made available are instead sitting back and saying, “Let’s not make waves. It might get the politicians mad at us.”

that's right. It's called "cover your a.."
Besides, after Parkfield they're probably gunshy about anything which ISN'T a sure thing.

Roger