Peter Hernon - 8.4

My thanks to Robert B. Herrmann, professor of geophysics at St. Louis University; James E. Beavers of Oak Ridge, Tennessee, a structural engineer and expert on natural and technological hazards; Bob Neel and Jim Gover of Albuquerque, New Mexico, both alumni of the Nevada Test Site, who explained the art of detonating nuclear bombs underground; Reid L. Kress of the Robotics Systems Division at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory; and Arch Johnston, director of research at the University of Memphis Center for Earthquake Research and Information.

Thanks also to a great editor, David Highfill of G. P. Putnam’s Sons, and to my agent, Richard Pine of Arthur Pine & Associates. Thanks also to Howie Sanders and Richard Green in Los Angeles.

And special thanks to my wife, Janice.

Peter Hernon lives near Chicago with his wife, Janice, and two daughters. He is an editor for the Chicago Tribune .

A Terrible Thunder: The Story of the New Orleans

Sniper

Under the Influence: The Unauthorized Story of the Anheuser-Busch Dynasty

Earthly Remains

The Kindling Effect

This is a work of fiction. The events described here are imaginary, although the existence of the New Madrid Seismic Zone and its potential for future activity are acknowledged by government and independent researchers alike. The characters are fictitious. They are not intended to represent specific persons or to suggest that the events described actually occurred.

8.4

Garrett County Digital

PUBLISHING HISTORY

G. P. PUTNAM’S SONS EDITION / FEBRUARY 1999

PUBLISHED SIMULTANEOUSLY IN CANADA

JOVE EDITION / NOVEMBER 1999

All rights reserved.

Copyright © 1999 by Peter Hernon.

This book may not be reproduced in whole or part, by mimeograph or any other means, without permission. For information address:

GARRETT COUNTY PRESS

WWW.GCPRESS.COM

ISBN: 978-1-891053-62-7