Hi All. There are times I have to wonder if earthquake prediction will ever really be beneficial.

Only 25 percent of the Bay Area population believes a major disaster is likely in the next 10 years.

In fact, U.S. Geological Survey scientists put the risk of a large earthquake of magnitude 7.0 or larger at about 33 percent in the next five years, and about 50 percent by the year 2010. The odds keep rising after that. Some scientists have estimated the risk at 90 percent in the immediate Bay Area during the next 30 years.

In addition to relative public apathy, severe budget cuts in Washington are forcing geologists to consider abandoning much of their network of seismic instruments and other recording devices in Northern and Central California.

David Oppenheimer, a seismologist at the Menlo Park regional headquarters of the U.S. Geological Survey says only two technicians are available to repair and maintain seismometers and other instruments at 390 sites in Central and Northern California, from the Tehachapi Mountains to the Oregon border, and from the Pacific Ocean to Nevada.

In their survey of personal preparation, PG&E and 28 local Red Cross chapters found a variety of reasons people are not ready for a big quake or other disasters. They include a feeling that it is not worth their time (19 percent), ignorance of what to do (17 percent), procrastination or laziness (11 percent), no time to do it (11 percent), no money to do it (10 percent) and belief no disaster will happen (6 percent).

While 82 percent of the people polled admit to being not very well prepared, 44 percent say they are ``somewhat prepared,'' 23 percent say they are ``somewhat unprepared'' and 15 percent say ``very unprepared.''

Those under age 35 -- who presumably have experienced fewer disasters -- are the least prepared; with 95 percent saying they have done little or nothing to get ready.

With that type of thinking mentality it may be more cost affective to forget about earthquake prediction and start teaching earthquake preparedness. However I even have my doubts about that given the responses I have received from the people where I live. Take Care…Don in creepy town