San Francisco has become America's foremost symbol of gentrification, lack of affordable housing, and twentysomethings who inexplicably make ten times more than you ever will. Scientists say the earthquake that will wipe it all away is now "locked and loaded."

California geologists have released a new study on the San Andreas fault. They say it's ready to explode... well, any time now, really. Who knows? From the Wall Street Journal:

The U.S. Geological Survey has said there is a 63% chance of one or more quakes with a magnitude of 6.7 or larger striking the Bay Area in the next 30 years...

The new study—using GPS technology and array of measuring stations as well as records of ancient quakes, known as paleo-seismic data—shows that the faults have accumulated enough energy strain stored in the earth's crust to produce quakes ranging from magnitudes 6.8 to 7.1.

So, a two-thirds chance of another quake equal to or larger than the 1989 quake, in the next 30 years. A forecast that is both depressing and spectacularly unhelpful. I implore everyone to leave the state of California now, and warn you that whenever this earthquake does happen, pundits such as myself will, in the manner of those who predict a stock market crash every year until it finally comes, say that we "told you so."

Is it worth taking that risk?

We can only take heart in the fact that this earthquake—whenever it may occur—may send some of the wealthy tech elite scurrying away in fear, thereby opening up some affordable housing for "regular" people once again.

The affordable housing will be rubble.

[Photo of San Francisco's last period of affordable housing: AP]