We review the scientific progress and accomplishments that have been made in understanding and mitigating the earthquake hazard. We present a retrospective of the earthquake, including many photos.
Earthquake prediction is a controversial topic.
Now, the international journal Nature brings us a moderated, on-line debate among 8 seismologists, including the USGS's Andrew Michael. In-depth reports from seismological and societal perspectives including background, casualties, damage, and what was learned scientifically. Lots of great photos and eyewitness accounts. The type of soil at a site affects the strength of seismic shaking there. Softer soils amplify the shaking.