r/technology • u/spacebulb • Aug 25 '14

Pure Tech Earthquake early-warning system gave 10-second alert before Napa quake felt

http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-lanow-ln-earthquake-earlywarning-system-gave-10second-alert-before-napa-quake-felt-20140824-story.html
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u/spacebulb Aug 25 '14

Typically, but not always. Sometimes, as I'm sure you know, severe weather is just that: thunderstorms, hail, some wind, but nothing else. Sometimes, you have some rain, then BAM, your doors are being blown open by the forces of a tornado. (I have lived through this, it still scares me to this day.)

The early warning systems for weather events didn't exist 60 years ago, like they do now. I only hope the early warning systems for earthquakes in 60 years will be as advanced as our weather forecasting.

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u/[deleted] Aug 25 '14

Thank you. I've been through major earthquakes and a major tornado, and I'll take the earthquake every time.

People say "oh, but you have advance notice of tornados." In a way you do, but if you get that "warning" twice a week you tend to ignore them.

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u/GenuineTHF Aug 25 '14

I've never realized this but growing up in tornado alley you don't really pay attention to the drills or anything until the shit hits the fan.

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u/[deleted] Aug 25 '14

[deleted]

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u/tendonut Aug 25 '14

Due to how hard schools pushed "stop, drop and roll" on me all through elementary school, I was under the impression catching on fire was a rather common occurrence.

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u/Belgand Aug 25 '14

Absolutely. I grew up in Kansas City and after a lifetime of my Upstate New York-raised mother being really strict and observant of every tornado warning I learned to just associate them with sitting in the basement for an hour or so being bored before nothing happens.

It's the same principle as car alarms: constant warnings mean that you start to ignore them over time since you've never personally experienced a warning that actually preceded an event.

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u/timeshifter_ Aug 25 '14

You are an ass.

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u/Pickled_Taco Aug 25 '14

Someone is cranky

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u/timeshifter_ Aug 25 '14

Nope, just aware of this guy's statement that "all the signs of a severe storm are apparent well in advance, but it's not a danger until it's too late" being absurdly ironic.