The Great Quake Debate

The Great Quake Debate chronicles the historical contest between two prominent geologists, Bailey Willis and Robert T. Hill, as they debate whether Southern California is prone to earthquakes, a question with life-or-death implications for the region’s millions of residents. Through engrossing biographies and historical events, the book explores how politics, science, and public safety intersected during a period marked by devastating earthquakes. It raises enduring questions about how societies confront natural hazards and the evolving understanding of California’s seismic risks.