Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Dr. Lucy 'Earthquake Lady' Jones Has The Review Of 'San Andreas' You've Been Waiting For
When the trailer for San Andreas came out, we were like, I'm no scientist, but I'm pretty sure the San Andreas Fault isn't going to open up and swallow us whole.
Thank goodness for Dr. Lucy Jones, an actual scientist to set us straight and explain the science (or lack thereof) behind the film starring our handsome hero Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. Jones is a calming presence in Southern California who regularly goes on TV to remind us to prepare for earthquakes—or explain exactly what happened any time the earth does shake. We were so excited to see that someone had invited her out to the red carpet premiere tonight in Hollywood for the first time (proving that the film industry can be so snotty about TV stars).
Even better than seeing Dr. Jones posing with The Rock were her live tweets from the screening. She discusses the science, whether an earthquake might finally give the single ladies out there an opportunity for a meet-cute and she comes up with a new action movie trope: Competent Sexy Girl. We don't normally approve of tweeting in theaters, but we're going to give Dr. Jones a pass just this once.
First big howler. San Andreas the movie pretends that California has a subduction zone. We can only have a M8.2
— Dr. Lucy Jones (@DrLucyJones) May 27, 2015
Support for LAist comes from
If seismologists could actually predict EQs, we'd all be much richer. Too bad that part of San Andreas isn't real...
— Dr. Lucy Jones (@DrLucyJones) May 27, 2015
First big safety message- if the shaking is bad enough to damage a dam you won't be able to run
— Dr. Lucy Jones (@DrLucyJones) May 27, 2015
The seismologist says "no one listens to us until the ground shakes." Thank heavens @ericgarcetti made this untrue
— Dr. Lucy Jones (@DrLucyJones) May 27, 2015
The predictions aren't real but EQ triggering is real. A California EQ M7.3 in 1992 triggered a M5.7 in Nevada the next day
— Dr. Lucy Jones (@DrLucyJones) May 27, 2015
Yes! Drop, cover& hold on. The right thing to do in an earthquake
— Dr. Lucy Jones (@DrLucyJones) May 27, 2015
Now people fall trying to run but they run anyway. I guess only the seismologists know Drop Cover Hold On
— Dr. Lucy Jones (@DrLucyJones) May 27, 2015
I like that the aftershocks keep on hitting and cause more damage. That's the reality of Big EQs
— Dr. Lucy Jones (@DrLucyJones) May 27, 2015
Support for LAist comes from
We expect serious damage to 1 in every 16 buildings in a real San Andreas EQ. The movie damage over the top.
— Dr. Lucy Jones (@DrLucyJones) May 27, 2015
The human reality of EQs. You are probably going to be rescued by your neighbor- or the cute guy you just met
— Dr. Lucy Jones (@DrLucyJones) May 27, 2015
Another good tidbit. Landlines work when cellphones are out because of no electricity
— Dr. Lucy Jones (@DrLucyJones) May 27, 2015
Great emotional message - not knowing if your family is ok is hard. Do you have a family communication plan?
— Dr. Lucy Jones (@DrLucyJones) May 27, 2015
OMG! A chasm? If the fault could open up, there'd be no friction. With no friction, there'd be no earthquake
— Dr. Lucy Jones (@DrLucyJones) May 27, 2015
The competent young woman knows what to do! And wins over the guys. Advertising for emergency training
— Dr. Lucy Jones (@DrLucyJones) May 27, 2015
Special effects accomplished what the earth never will. People take pictures after EQs of damages but not of the buildings that are ok.
— Dr. Lucy Jones (@DrLucyJones) May 27, 2015
Support for LAist comes from
Recognizing water draw down as sign of tsunami is good. However tsunami from San Andreas is impossible. Now we are in fantasy territory
— Dr. Lucy Jones (@DrLucyJones) May 27, 2015
The competent young woman understands vertical evacuation. One way to escape tsunami is going up a building
— Dr. Lucy Jones (@DrLucyJones) May 27, 2015
Competence makes the girl sexy! That's a new message i can applaud!
— Dr. Lucy Jones (@DrLucyJones) May 27, 2015
Bottom line: don't learn seismology from #SanAndreas but maybe it will inspire people to take Community Emergency Response Training
— Dr. Lucy Jones (@DrLucyJones) May 27, 2015
Here's the trailer in case you missed it the first round:
San Andreas will be in theaters May 29
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity. -
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
-
With California voters facing a decision on redistricting this November, Surf City is poised to join the brewing battle over Congressional voting districts.
-
The drug dealer, the last of five defendants to plead guilty to federal charges linked to the 'Friends' actor’s death, will face a maximum sentence of 65 years in prison.
-
The weather’s been a little different lately, with humidity, isolated rain and wind gusts throughout much of Southern California. What’s causing the late-summer bout of gray?
-
Hexavalent chromium is the same carcinogen Erin Brockovich warned about in the 1990s, but researchers say more study is needed on the potential health effects of nanoparticles detected earlier this year. Experts will answer questions at a webinar this evening.
Best of LAist