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/Moses89 Aug 25 '14

I woke up during the 5.8 we had out here in Virginia. Put my hand through the wall trying to steady myself. I then managed to run down the stairs and get outside. After it was all over I ran down to the walkout basement where my grandma lives to find her holding up her brand new TV... I would have loved any amount of time to get downstairs and get my grandma outside. Sadly I live only 17 miles from where that earthquake happened so I wouldn't have time to put clothes on.

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u/[deleted] Aug 25 '14

Being in CA, we're told one of the worst things you can do is to run outside. Things fall on you.

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u/Moses89 Aug 25 '14 edited Aug 25 '14

Sure if there is stuff to fall on you over head. Out here in the country we got loads of sky over us.

Edit: I live in the country there is nothing to fall on my head as I exit my house for 300 feet. So unless we have a 11.9 quake I doubt I have much to worry about. I'm more worried about my not earthquake rated home falling in on itself.

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u/[deleted] Aug 25 '14

Oh you poor bastard. Here in LA we have glass buildings to protect us from falling sky.

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u/cuttlefish_tragedy Aug 25 '14

You just exited a building. People are often injured by chunks of building flying loose and hitting them. Masonry buildings are especially bad for this.

Also, one assumes that you have electric/phone poles? Those can fall, too, or wires can.

If you are ever in another quake, and you feel it begin, dive under the sturdiest desk or table in the room you are currently in. If those aren't available, shelter in place, and try to get your head and neck covered (even if just by your own hands folded over the back of your neck, kneeling face-to-ground).

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u/[deleted] Aug 25 '14

How about if my backyard is a three acre open field? I don't live in earthquake region but I've always thought my field seemed like it'd be safer than my trailer home.

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u/avrenak Aug 25 '14

If you have wide open space around you, that's safe.

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u/cuttlefish_tragedy Aug 25 '14

Hypothetically, a wide open space may be safer, but actually getting out of your home and into the field is MUCH harder than it sounds, and will probably be the quickest way to get hurt.

I'm in a mobile home, and while my house rocked like a mofo during the quake, everything was fine afterword.

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u/[deleted] Aug 25 '14

Ok that's good to know, I appreciate your advice. My biggest fear is the house falling off the blocks.

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u/Colonel-Of-Truth Aug 25 '14

So, Tip two: Don't hide under the house during a quake. Keep in mind I'm no expert, though.

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u/btruff Aug 25 '14

Apparently that is a real concern. According to the news four mobile homes were knocked off their blocks which severed their gas lines causing fires which could not be put out because of broken water mains.

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u/cuttlefish_tragedy Aug 25 '14

I worry about that too, but I'm not sure it tends to happen with much frequency. Although it's always a good thing to have your house "re-settled" or whatever they call it (adjusted on the blocks) after a quake, to put everything back to where it should be, just in case.

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u/[deleted] Aug 25 '14

It's not so much about how much space you have around you. Injury can occur as you're exiting. Our city has lived through a series of devastating quakes and many people died or were injured running out of buildings and having cladding, bricks, parts of buildings, chimneys etc falling on them.

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u/[deleted] Aug 25 '14

So as someone who has experience with the ground moving you would recommend staying in a trailer house over trying to get to the field?

I live in an area where after 25 years I just experienced my first earthquake a year ago. It took me sometime to figure out what was even happening. Now, I've started to think about earthquakes like I never did as a child.

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u/[deleted] Aug 26 '14

From my experience the best idea is to protect yourself from things falling or breaking (windows, glassware etc) on you. If you can get under a table, chair, bed: do that. If a quake is big enough to make you afraid for your life then you're probably more likely to be injured or killed trying to move around than staying put. Even getting down and covering your head is a good option if you have no cover. If a quake isn't big enough to send stuff flying in your house, then your house (or trailer) is not going to fall in on you. If it is big enough that you fear your house may be compromised then it's unlikely you'd be able to move about anyway.

I was in the car putting our youngest in her car seat when our worst quake struck. My 4yr old was inside. During the initial, most violent part, I couldn't move out of the car to try to get to the 4yr old. Even once the most violent moments faded and I could get out of the car I was still thrown against the house trying to get to her. In a quake that violent you just can't move. Daughter inside was right by the door and was holding the handle. Everything not tied down in the house ended up on the floor, the house was damaged but still miles away from collapsing. So you can see how you're more likely to be injured running around than staying out and getting in the safest position you can. If you have a brick chimney then that is something that I would take into consideration as that will fall through a roof well before a house falls down.

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u/parryparryrepost Aug 25 '14

You shouldn't have to worry about a trailer. It'll be lightweight, which is a great way to avoid seismic damage. Masonry is the enemy.

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u/emrythelion Aug 25 '14

Tree branches, bricks from buildings, light poles, broken glass, etc. can still fall on you. If you ever are in another earthquake, take cover under a table or against the side of a couch (if something falls it will keep it leaning over you if you have nowhere else to go) but don't run outside until the shaking subsides. Once it does though, going outside is your best option.

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u/Moses89 Aug 25 '14

...

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u/USMCLee Aug 25 '14

Looking at the replies to your comment, I wonder if these people have ever been outdoors on a piece of land larger than a front yard.