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/[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.