Could a Major Earthquake Happen Here?

We're all too familiar with hurricanes in the Carribean, but earthquakes seem unexpected.

Dr. Doug Haywick teaches geology at the University of South Alabama.
"The reason why this one was devastating was the motion that took place was fairly intense. A magnitude 7 earthquake happens maybe 10-20 times a year. So it's not the largest earthquake that has happened, but it was so focused so shallowly below the surface, between 3-5 miles down, all that energy was released and it made it all the way up to the surface."

The depth of the earthquake was only part of the reason we're seeing so much devastation.
"The other problem with Port Au Prince was the housing codes there are not up to North American standards. The buildings just fell down on top of each other."

As for the odds of an earthquake happening here, Dr. Haywick says we have a better chance of getting hit by three category five hurricanes in the same year than one magnitude 5 quake.
"We're safe here from earthquakes. Haiti, the Caribbean, the whole area in through here unfortunately is not. I'm afraid this is just something we have to live with on this planet. There are going to be disasters on a regular basis."

According to the USGS, there are at least 35 states with an earthquake hazard. Here is a link to see how probable earthquakes are in a given zip code: USGS Earthquake Probability