Maybe the reporter was just confused - remember, they go out and talk to some scientist and then come back and write an article. I've even been at some of those press conferences, then read the articles and thought: That's not what they said... or They sure got that wrong.

If you notice, the writer also mentioned that the pacific plate and north american plate are moving in opposite directions - that's not true either. Go read it again - he talks about the microscope idea at the begining of the article.

It sounds like a mixed up writer to me....

There's another story that is similar in wanting to be funded - this is where we need to budget some money:
Saturday May 13 5:26 PM ET

Trouble With Seismic Network

By MATTHEW FORDAHL, AP Science Writer

PASADENA, Calif. (AP) - Southern California's advanced seismic-monitoring system faces a shaky future - and not because of the earthquakes it locates and analyzes minutes after the
ground stops moving.

Money for the system, known as TriNet, is set to be halved next year and end completely in 2002 as the grant that established the system expires. So far nobody has offered to pay an
estimated $2 million in annual maintenance costs.

continued at link below

• Trouble With Seismic Network