It would be interesting to know how localised the failure was - it could
be nothing more than a loose connection shaken out somewhere. By and
large, it seems to me that modern electronics are more earthquake
resistant than in times past. In the 1980s it was not uncommon for
computers to crash with only moderate shaking (intensity 4). It's not
something I've heard of recently in earthquake reports. (Of course, if
the shaking is strong enough to hurl PCs across the room, that's not
going to do them any good.)
Roger Musson
British Geological Survey
West Mains Road
Edinburgh EH9 3LA
tel: +44 (0)131-650-0205
fax: +44 (0)131-667-1877
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Natural hazards and disasters
> [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf
> Of Ilan Kelman
> Sent: 30 July 2008 08:03
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Post-Earthquake Communications
>
> Following yesterday's earthquake in Southern California, I
> received the email below from a long-time Los Angeles
> resident. Any comments on (i) why new communications
> technology appears to be not as robust in earthquakes as old
> technology and, if that is the case, (ii) why new
> communications technology might not be incorporating
> disaster-related measures learned from the use of the older
> technology?
>
> Ilan
>
> --------------
>
> We just had an earthquake - plus aftershocks - in Southern
> California.
>
> Not big, but felt widely.
>
> Checking to see if this message will go through via my
> Internet service.
>
> The bad news, in this age of digital television, is that my
> digital phone (land line) and cell phone and cable went out
> IMMEDIATELY and have not come back on again.
>
> I think I've still got email - that's why I'm testing.
>
> My good old battery operated emergency TV still works, but
> soon won't with this new all-digital trend.
>
> For those of you who are experts here, what are we, the mere
> mortals out here, supposed to do? I loved Ma Bell - she
> never once failed to work as a land line in any earthquake
> I've been in, including Northridge.
>
> And I love my battery operated emergency TV/radio. I
> understand that it will soon not operate either, at least the TV part.
>
> Are we back to the old days of emergency radio only? No phone, no TV?
> _________________________________________________________________
> If you like crossword puzzles, then you'll love Flexicon, a
> game which combines four overlapping crossword puzzles into one!
> http://g.msn.ca/ca55/208
>
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