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Show “Popsicle” “Fudgsicle" “Creamsicle” "Dreamsich "50-50" and "Sicle” are registered trademarks of Joe Lowe Company, Englewood, N.J. 07631 estruction on a nof-too-distant day— ock California? Alaska, out along the Aleutians to Japan, then back throughthe Pacific via New Zealand, and up along the western coast of South America. Geologists call the San Andreas a “strike-slip” fault. There are two large land masses literally rubbing each other Poles of the earth occasionally shift a few feet, and whenever one of these unexplainable polar shifts takes place, earthquakes follow. Scientists suggest a more careful tracking of this polar wobble. Creep-watching: Researchers are presently developing a variety of new, ultra- the wrong way. sensitive instruments for measuring earth For millions of years, the west side has been moving northwest at a rate of one to two inches a year. Certain areas, however, do not seem to be moving, According to geologists, these “locked” sections are movements.Scientists have already reached the point where they can now predict with some degree of reliability where the next tremors in the rock will take place. “But the problem is that we still can’t predict the violence of the movements,” building up pressure much like a spring under tension. Eventually the spring has to snap. Whenit does, California will have a mammoth quake. The force released will be millions of times greater than that re- says Dr. Richter. leased by a nuclear weapon. A $220 million Government program has arte a While the scientists are busy learning to predict quakes, California’s politicians are equally busy trying to soft-pedal the danger of earthquakes. “We've lived with quakes all our lives,” San Francisco's ro sures whichsplit a section of Los Angeles. Two lines on a winery floor show distance sections have shifted in movement of earth. been recommended to study earthquakes further. Scientists want to learn what causes earthquakes—and, equally important, how to control them. Here are some techniques being tested: Fluid Injection: Scientists believe they could drill holes into danger areas and pumpa large quantity of water into them. This conceivably would “loosen”the tense sections, producing some mini-quakes but no serious major ones. The Wandering Poles: Geophysicists have noticed that the North and South Mayor Joseph Aliota says fretfully. “San Franciscans know what to do if and when they do occur.” And what does the average Californian haveto say aboutall this earthquake furor? Most of them seem fatalistic. Typical is the comment of a Los Angeles builder. “The small ones can’t hurt you,” he says, staring up at the steep, brush-covered slope that looms over his home in the Hollywood Hills. “As for the big ones,” he shrugs, “I guess you never think that a big one is going to hit.” @ City official leaps across one of many fis- It’s not Summer withoutit. the box Family Weekly, May 18, 1969 u at yourfavorite supermarket. |