Once everyone had settled, Reva stepped up to the podium and tapped the microphone to get the room’s attention. The hum of conversation died down as the townspeople turned their eyes toward her.
“Good evening, everyone,” Reva began, her voice steady but warm. “Thank you all for coming tonight. I know the recent earthquakes have raised a lot of concerns, and that’s why we’ve brought in an expert to help us understand what’s going on.”
She gestured toward the man standing to her left, his presence commanding without being imposing. “This is Dr. Grant Marshall, a geologist from the University of Wyoming with extensive experience in seismic activity, particularly in regions like ours. He’s here to explain the situation, answer your questions, and hopefully ease some of the worries we’ve all been feeling.”
Dr. Marshall stepped forward, nodding appreciatively as Reva moved aside. The overhead lights reflected off his glasses as he unrolled a large map of the Teton area, pinning it to an easel next to the podium. His calm demeanor seemed to settle the room as he began.
“Thank you, Mayor Nygard,” he started, his voice resonant and clear. “Good evening, everyone. I know you’ve had quite a few surprises lately, so let’s talk about what’s happening beneath your feet.”
He pointed to the map, tracing the fault line that ran along the base of the Teton Range. “The Teton Fault is what’s responsible for the earthquakes you’ve been experiencing. It’s a normal fault, meaning it’s caused by the earth’s crust being pulled apart. This kind of fault is common in areas where the tectonic plates are moving away from each other.”
Reva glanced around the room, noting the mix of expressions—some concerned, others simply curious. The newly built center was proving its worth tonight, offering a comfortable space for this important discussion.
“But what about Yellowstone?” came a voice from the back, belonging to Albie Barton, the town’s ever-inquisitive newspaper reporter. He pulled a fountain pen from his pocket protector and prepared to take notes on his clipboard. “Isn’t that supervolcano gonna blow someday?”
Dr. Marshall smiled slightly, nodding as if he had expected the question. “Yellowstone is indeed a supervolcano, and it does experience seismic activity. However, the tremors you’ve been feeling here are not directly related to Yellowstone’s volcanic system. The Teton Fault and Yellowstone are part of the same broader tectonic system, but they operate independently. The earthquakes you’re experiencing are localized to the Teton area.”
Reva noticed Capri leaning over to whisper something to Charlie Grace, who responded with a quick nod. They were all paying close attention, but she could see that some of the initial tension in their faces was beginning to ease.
“What are the chances of a bigger quake hitting us?” another voice asked, this time from Thelma DeRosier, their beloved bank teller and a long-time resident with a reputation for worrying about worst-case scenarios.
Dr. Marshall paused, choosing his words carefully. “While we can’t predict earthquakes with absolute certainty, the Teton Fault is capable of producing larger quakes. However, significant events are rare and occur over long periods—every 2,000 to 4,000 years on average. The tremors you’ve been feeling are more likely to be smaller adjustments—some are aftershocks rather than precursors to a larger event.”
Reva caught Lila’s eye and gave her a reassuring nod. Lila smiled faintly in return, though Reva could tell she was still thinking about the “what ifs.”
A hand shot up from the middle of the room—Larry York, the local conspiracy theorist. “Could the government be doing underground military tests, causing these quakes? We’ve all heard the stories.”
Dr. Marshall maintained his composure, though there was a flicker of amusement in his eyes. “No, sir. These earthquakes are entirely natural. Like I explained, they’re caused by tectonic forces and the release of stress along fault lines. There’s no evidence to suggest that any man-made activities, including government tests, are involved in these events.”
Larry York shot up from his seat, his face lit with the thrill of another wild idea. “But what if it’s Bigfoot stomping around up there? You know those Sasquatches have been known to shake the ground when they’re mad!”
Dr. Marshall blinked, clearly struggling to keep a straight face. “I assure you, Mister…”
“York. Larry York.”
“Yes, Mr. York. I assure you, if Bigfoot were causing seismic activity, we’d have far more to worry about than just earthquakes.”
“Well, son of a hairy pig’s butt, I hope you’re right.” Larry’s face immediately reddened. “I apologize, I didn’t mean to swear.”
Dr. Marshall shook his head and grinned. “I’m not sure you did.”
A ripple of laughter moved through the room, breaking some of the tension that had been hanging in the air. Reva could see a few shoulders relaxing, and even Capri allowed herself a small smile.
“Could fracking in nearby areas be responsible?” Betty Dunning asked, genuine concern in her voice.
Dr. Marshall shook his head slightly. “While fracking can induce seismic activity, the operations in nearby states are too far from the Teton Fault to have any significant impact here. What you’re feeling is the result of natural tectonic processes, not human activities.”
The discussion continued for a while longer, with questions ranging from practical concerns about earthquake preparedness to more far-fetched theories about ancient curses and hidden fault lines. The professor answered each one with the same calm, measured tone, never dismissive but always clear.
“In short,” he concluded, “earthquakes are a natural part of living in a region like this. The earth’s surface is constantly shifting, and while that can be unsettling, it’s also something we can prepare for. With the right precautions and an understanding of the risks, you can keep yourselves and your community safe.”
Reva stepped forward to thank Dr. Marshall, feeling a sense of relief that the meeting had gone well. As the townspeople began to disperse, she turned to her friends, who were already gathering their things.
“Well,” Capri said, stretching her arms above her head, “that was…informative.”
“And not as scary as I thought it’d be,” Lila added, a note of relief in her voice.
“Still,” Charlie Grace said, tucking her notebook under her arm. “We should all be prepared, just in case.”
