[rwfromkansas]

Well, I think the California earthquake struck out in the middle of nowhere, while the one in Iran struck near a major city. That had a lot of impact also.

But, he is correct that the amount of wealth also had a major impact.

[CyberCowboy777]

This is a good point, I think the big quake of 88? (my dad was in San Jose for that one) makes his point better..

No way that 25,000 people die in a 6.6 in L.A. or SF.

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Well, I think the California earthquake struck out in the middle of nowhere, while the one in Iran struck near a major city.

Paso Robles, CA has a population of around 25,000. I think I read that Bam, Iran is around 35,000. Not that significant a difference. Especially considering that if two women had stayed inside instead of running out the door there would have been zero fatalities there.

[snooker]

Well yes, and no. When the 1989 7.0 quake hit northern CA the results were the same.

I was there and this quake was no joke. But, few people died compared to the Iran quake. Millions were situated in the affected zone of the CA quake.

[MineralMan]

"Well, I think the California earthquake struck out in the middle of nowhere, while the one in Iran struck near a major city. That had a lot of impact also.
"

Nope. Bam has a population of 70,000. San Luis Obispo County, where the CA quake struck, has a population of roughly 300,000. The quake was felt equally pretty much in the entire county. It is not the "middle of nowhere." It's just not Los Angeles or San Francisco.