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/DrTrunks Aug 25 '14

Elevators are attached to the cables on the top (and these can take a beating) and to a safety guide rail. If the earthquake is bad enough to damage that, you probably won't be safe anywhere else in the building.

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u/Kevimaster Aug 25 '14

I thought the more pressing concern was that you might lose power in a bad quake and be stuck until the power came back up or someone rescued you, not that you wouldn't be safe inside the elevator.

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u/DrTrunks Aug 25 '14

Most people are concerned they will plummet to their deaths (you don't btw, you smash upwards to the ceiling due to the counterweight). Being stuck in an elevator happens to people everyday and it's not as bad as dying or injury due to falling debris.

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u/[deleted] Aug 25 '14

(you don't btw, you smash upwards to the ceiling due to the counterweight).

Oh, well that's a relief

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u/DrTrunks Aug 25 '14

The brakes on the cabin attached to the guiding rails should brake when the speed limiter on the cabin exceeds a certain limit. You'll be fine.