to Chris - a small matter - Especially since I'd seen the photos before and probably could have intelligibly explained that a big wash of water scoured the island, and the land might well have dropped, submerging large parts of the island.

As for Larry Park, in order to give Petra's post credence, it would have to be the case that he did NOT contact the governments directly. No matter how heartfelt his idea that he can predict earthquakes, to tell governments with little technical expertise that a large earthquake is more likely than it really is wrong. Inciting a panic among millions of people so virulent that it makes the international news is a horrible outcome of a well-intentioned idea.

To echo Chris, perhaps Petra could supply the details the press got wrong, or better still some evidence of Park knowing anything about earthquake prediction. I failed to see any evidence on his web site. Just lots of monitors and black boxes for sale, and the frequent use of the words electro-magnetic and vibrations.