It is estimated that about 700 shocks each year have this capability when centered in a populated area. Fortunately, most of these potentially destructive earthquakes occur in relatively unpopulated areas. But it could hit any location because no region is entirely free of earthquakes. To date, they cannot be predicted, but anyone, on any day could make this statement and it would be true. The problem is in pinpointing the area where a strong shock will center and when it will happen.
Earthquake prediction is a future possibility.
Earthquake research was stepped up after the Alaska shock in 1964. Earthquake prediction may some day become a reality, but only after much more is learned about earthquake mechanisms.