Morning Somewhere 2025.07.30: Scale Problems
Jul 30, 2025
The conversation kicks off with a recent earthquake in Russia and its implications for Pacific coast warnings. They dive into the challenges of alert fatigue and the risks of public complacency amidst frequent emergency notifications. The speakers reflect on the history of major earthquakes, connecting nature's power to human conflict, especially concerning nuclear threats. Excitement simmers over the upcoming Alien: Earth series, along with critiques and a peek into its themes. They also explore the fascinating blend of zombie and vampire tropes in the Alien franchise.
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Massive Pacific Tsunami Alert
- The 2025 Russian coast earthquake caused a massive tsunami alert for nearly the entire Pacific region.
- The tsunami waves, though appearing small, mean a deadly rise in ocean level, not typical waves.
Richter Scale's Exponential Magnitude
- Richter scale magnitudes increase by 10x the strength for every whole number increment.
- Large earthquakes have huge error margins that can cover many smaller magnitude quakes.
Tsunamis Are Giant Tides
- Tsunamis are better described as tides, not waves, because they raise ocean levels by several feet.
- People underestimate tsunamis when described merely as four-foot waves.