1.   After a large quake, strain can build rapidly for several decades and then slow way down.

2.   But such large quakes are rare hereabouts.

3.   Earthquakes are unusual in the New York area, large quakes even rarer.

4.   Geologists would have predicted devastation farther up the coast or out to sea, where a number of large quakes have occurred recently.

5.   In a large quake, he said, the beams do not deform and energy can suddenly concentrate at the columns on one floor, causing it to collapse.

6.   That reinforces the concern that another large quake lies in our future.

7.   The federal government is developing a new computer modeling system that would let local emergency planners simulate the damage to key buildings from large quakes.

8.   Another report released Thursday, by the Association of Bay Area Governments, said hundreds of thousands could be left homeless if a large quake hit.

9.   Another report released Thursday, this one by the Association of Bay Area Governments, said hundreds of thousands could be left homeless if a large quake hit.

10.   At least three aftershocks followed the two large quakes, and some older houses collapsed, she said.