EARTHQUAKES give some people the shakes, just mentioning the word, I mean.
I know people who are obsessed with tracking every little tremor on Geonet, to the extent of keeping a written record of all the shakes - and there are thousands of them each year. To them it vergeson being a hobby, one I find hard to understand.
Of course, the big ones can be awfully destructive and frightening and there would hardly be an adult New Zealander alive who has not grasped a door jamb with fear when a decent tremor hits.
But walking in mortal fear of "the big one" is futile, especially when you take into account geological time and compare it with the lengths of our own lifetimes.
Better to be sensible about it, prepare well and learn what safety measures to take, then forget about it and get on with life.
Having lived through the Cold War years, I well remember the agony some people endured awaiting the arrival of nuclear bombs, a danger that - like earthquakes - will never completely disappear unless mankind learns to live in peace and harmony.
I was jolted out of fixation with nuclear destruction by an American friend who, years back, said he had the answer.
"Forget about it, there's little you can do but should it come - just hope you have time to put your head between your legs and kiss your ass goodbye."
Scientists, of course, are entitled to have a different take on earthquakes and just now they are training their eyes on faultlines in the Pongaroa/Eketahuna district.
There have been a swarm of shakes, mostly far too small to be felt, in that region and it makes sense for the scientists to use that as a focus for improving their knowledge of one of nature's great mysteries. One day, I suspect not in the lifetime of anyone alive today, they may be able to predict quakes, until then don't worry, be happy.
