Why the h**l don't we have an earthquake early warning system here in Cailfornia.?

Question

The technology is out there and it gives you about a 30 to 40 second warning, Japan has one, Mexico's capital has one. Why are we sitting on our asses about this?? Thousands could die when the next big quake hits California. If the federal goverment won't help it's citizens why the h**l should our state not take action? Cailfornia is rich enough to be its own country, to h**l with those b******s in washington who will ignore this problem like they did with Katrina.

Answer 1

They can't predict earthquakes yet.

The best idea is to get a dog and they always let you know when ones coming.

Answer 2

It is your states responsibly not the other 49 states

Answer 3

If you look at the USGS website, you will see that they have a monitoring system based in Palmdale Ca.  Unfortunately there are a number of known faults as well as unknown faults within our state.  The Pacific Plate and North American Plates are the most active in the world and it is almost impossible to predict precisely when and where an earthquake will occur.  You might want to read "A Crack in the Edge of the World" by Simon Winchester for a more thorough history of California ( and US) earthquakes, and how technology has advanced over the years.  Best advice is to be PERSONALLY PREPARED!

Answer 4

Here is your early warning system:

YOU LIVE IN CALIFORNIA!!! YOU ARE GOING TO GET EARTHQAKES IN THE FUTURE!!!!

How is that? Is it early enough for you?

Answer 5

We don't have any money.

Answer 6

What would it do, wiggle us a little, like that earth quake did?

The big one, it would be nice to have warning of.  But what would you do in 40 seconds?

Answer 7

That takes tax money; nobody wants more taxes.  That's how it goes.

Answer 8

Get onto your local politicians, this isn't a federal issue.  And Katrina, it wasn't ignored.  It was Louisiana's local politicians who refused the help.

Answer 9

The technology does not work

Look at the death tolls in eartquakes in Japan compared to here

Answer 10

If you really want an answer, rather than a rant, the system in Japan works (when it works) only with quakes which are deep under the surface.  Shallower quakes do not allow for a determination of intensity by means of the Japanese system.  Earthquakes in California tend to be shallow, so could not be predicted by the Japanese system, even if that system worked (which it does not appear to, most of the time).

Answer 11

The earthquake early warning systems are based on the fact that electronic transmissions move faster than the vibrations from the earthquake.  This system does not 'predict' earthquakes - instead it detects them and attempts to send a warning to you.  If you are far enough away such a system can give you a few seconds warning.  However, if the earthquake is nearby - there will be no time to react to the warning before the effects of the earthquake hit.

Nobody can 'predict' an earthquake.

Answer 12

For every tax dollar sent from California to DC, the state only receives about $0.75 in return services from the Federal Govt.

While 3rd world states like Mississippi and Alabama get about $1.50 in return for every tax dollar sent to DC.

Meaning:  It pays to have connected politicians and the wealthy are always going to support the poor.