 What is most significant about the earthquake that happens?
It has happened a hundred times in the long history of Earth—and, sooner or later, will happen again! It was still a matter of academic interest when in the late '40s geologists speculated on the relationship between the Kiowa Fault and the Conchas Fault farther south, in New Mexico, and which followed the Pecos as far south as Texas. As the tremors grew bigger, along with the affected area, as several towns including Edison were shaken to pieces by incredible earthquakes, whole bus- and plane-loads of geologists set out for Colorado, without even waiting for their university and government department to approve budgets. They found themselves on the scene of what was fast becoming the most violent and widespread earthquake North America—probably the world—has ever seen in historic times.
 It became a national tragedy, affecting most of the country.
 It proved that the dust volcano was alive.  It proved Schwartzberg's theory?  It became a national tragedy, affecting most of the country.  It happened quickly and suddenly.