If the Salton Sea were in an "Old World" region settled for thousands of years, then the people who live near it would have cultural memory of the Salton Sea dr

If the Salton Sea were in an "Old World" region settled for thousands of years, then the people who live near it would have cultural memory of the Salton Sea drying and flooding numerous times and would not be shocked when it happened again. Developed California is very young; most people who live there today don't have a very long family history on the land. Their families arrived in California one or two centuries ago, which they consider 'a long time ago'. Californians lack much experience with their land, so they're shocked when things like this happen.