 What is most significant about the earthquake that happens?
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. As the Fault moved north and south, new areas quivered into unwelcome life. Tremendous fissures opened up perpendicular to the Fault, and a general subsidence of the land was noticeable well into Kansas and Nebraska. On the actual scene of the disaster (or the scenes ; it is impossible to speak of anything this size in the singular) there was a horrifying confusion. Nearly two million people were on the move, and the U. S. was faced with a gigantic wave of refugees.
 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.