January 15, 2021
In this, the third of our four part series on earthquake prediction, we explore earthquake early warning and what it means to be notified that earthquake shaking is headed your way momentarily. With an earthquake underway, this system can provide a "prediction" of what you'll feel. Why does this matter? Dr. Jones explains the various benefits, and some may surprise you because it's more than physically protecting yourself in the moment.
January 8, 2021
In part 2 of our 4 part series on earthquake prediction, Dr. Jones explains the idea of how the rate of earthquakes can be the piece of information that helps know if another earthquake is more likely. She explains why people think she can predict earthquakes, when really, she's just explaining the science of what makes an earthquake more likely (hint: earthquakes never happen by themselves!). She helps explain why the San Andreas Fault is different and can be seen as more likely than other earthquakes and when a one day rate might go up around it, where people might think a prediction is being made when triggering is involved. We also reveal the things you should listen for when scientists talk about what's potentially going to happen next.
January 1, 2021
This is the first of 4 episodes focused on earthquake prediction. Dr. Jones talks about her personal experience in China and her research into foreshocks and the likelihood of there being something "there" that reveals when an earthquake might occur. And the question is more complicated than just when: where and how big is what we really want to know. Here's the start of what you need to know to understand why earthquake prediction is currently -- and likely forever -- impossible.
December 25, 2020
In this episode, Dr. Jones reveals a bit about her process for writing music inspired by climate change data to help make real the issues we will face in the years ahead. She explains how music taps into the emotional shared experience like no other tool or mechanism does, and we talk about the coming year where she'll be convening physical scientists, social scientists, and musicians to work together to help inspire action around climate change through music. Take a listen and know that music can help you get through it!
December 18, 2020
In this episode, we look at the origins of the use of "doctor" (it's from western theology, as can be seen in the ceremonial robes still worn today) and the role of skills and knowledge and demonstrating expertise. "Doctor" is at times as shorthand for "come to me for expert information," and for Dr. Jones, it meant recognizing that she had expertise in the 1990s in SoCal when, in comparison to her male colleagues, she was not given the credit of her expertise in the media, being called an "earthquake lady" instead of a scientist. The controversy of the use of the title "doctor" reveals the complicated relationship Americans have with truth and experts. And today, this issue is more important than ever as we all must have the skills to determine the truth we encounter in all forms of media.
December 11, 2020
In this episode, as we look at the frequency of the energy produced in an earthquake -- the waves of energy emitted from the earthquake -- we'll explore how music and earthquakes are connected. We'll talk about how buildings themselves have a resonant frequency and what it means when a building is "excited" by the earthquake shaking. We explore how big earthquakes and small earthquakes are really quite different in terms of the type of energy they produce, and how even the biggest earthquakes that produce a lot of damage likely won't impact where we live.
December 4, 2020
In this fundamental episode, we explore the very basics of what an earthquake is. Dr. Jones explains what causes the shaking we feel, the debate over what causes an earthquake to start and stop, and the ways in which stress is transferred and relieved. We also explore the ideas of microseism and stress drop, and Dr. Jones debunks a few more earthquake myths.
November 20, 2020
Don't give up now -- that's Dr. Lucy Jones's advice to dealing with the latest COVID19 surge. Our feelings aren't what the risk actually is because as humans, we have evolved with two systems for analyzing risks we face. Dr. Jones shares the pros and cons of "going with your gut" as it relates to managing risks and explains why we don't want to believe experts telling us not to have Thanksgiving. We look at how greater benefits appear to lower the risk and discuss ways to manage the emotional conflict with the analytical response in order to get through the extremes, like the current surge in COVID19 cases in California and across the US.
November 13, 2020
In this episode, we look at where earthquakes can happen… and the answer might surprise you. Certain places, like California, are known for having earthquakes but almost anywhere can have one, especially when human activity causes them (yes, you read that correctly!). And when they happen in places less common for them, they can often be surprising. The US East Coast used to be a plate boundary at the Appalachian Mountains, which were once almost as high as the Himalayas! How will you react when the next earthquake happens -- Dr. Jones gives you a big clue on what to expect whether the rate of earthquakes is high or low where you are.
