Why do people speculate about disasters

[NotAllThere]

To divert themselves from their own mortality.

[MicrosoftBob]

To waste time, and to avoid having to do any work

Just like using Facebook

[SimonMac]

While the facts are missing people try to fill them in themselves as they really have nothing else relevant to talk about after the initial shock

[EternalOptimist]

Is it Ghoulish ? why do people do it. I think it's human nature to try to solve problems, be the first with the right answer and be the smartest in the room.

It might be a bit insensitive, but I reckon there's an evolutionary angle as well
as in 'Holy cr@p, Im gonna make sure THAT never happens to me'

look at this little cukker trying to get a bevvy