| The 8.4 in the title refers to 8.4 on the richter scale. Yes, a very large earthquake. The story centers around a big earthquake, followed, by an even bigger one, then the scientific community gathering together to try to figure out how to prevent another one. This is because the earthquakes are taking place on the New Madrid Seismic Zone in the United States. This is a real earthquake zone in the lower Mississippi Valley, underlying Missouri, Arkansas, Kentucky, and Tennesee, and other states to a lesser extent. Studies show that past earthquakes in the area come in clusters. The first one is 7.1, then the 8.4. Scientists fear another one is coming. The area is already devastated and states have declared martial law. Looting is rampant. | ||
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Plot & Themes Tone of story - suspenseful (sophisticated fear) Time/era of story: Disaster, natural or nuclear Yes Kind of disaster: - earthquake descript. of violence and chases - 30 % Planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 20 % Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 10 % How society works & physical descript. (people, objects, places) - 40 % Main Character Gender - Male Profession/status: Age: - 20's-30's Ethnicity/Race Main Adversary Identity: - natural phenomena Setting United States Yes The US: - Midwest Small town? Yes Small town people: - nice, like Andy/Opie/Aunt Bee Misc setting - scientific labs Writing Style Accounts of torture and death? - generic/vague references to death/punishment A lot of techno jargon? Yes Kind of jargon? - physics Unusual forms of death - crushed Unusual form of death? Yes Amount of dialog - roughly even amounts of descript and dialog |
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