31.   They argued that recent evidence suggested a major quake close to a densely built-up city could have disproportionately more disastrous consequences.

32.   They are attached to seismometers on the ocean floor that sense major quakes.

33.   Thrust faults have become a concern of state emergency planners in recent years, because California has experienced an unusual surge in major quakes on thrust faults.

34.   What are the odds of a major quake here in the near future?

35.   A few of the structures sustained significant damage in the Northridge earthquake, which has been classified as a strong, but not a major quake.

36.   Aftershocks continued the next few days, causing residents to sleep outdoors out of fear for a major quake.

37.   Aftershocks continued the next few days, causing residents, who feared a major quake, to sleep outdoors.

38.   Aftershocks continued the next few days, causing residents to sleep outdoors out of fear of a major quake.

39.   Aftershocks continued the next few days, causing residents who feared another major quake to sleep outdoors.

40.   But the meteorological agency has not viewed all this as a sign of an imminent major quake.