With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today during our fall member drive.
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
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
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
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
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.

-
Metro officials said it will be able to announce an opening date “soon.”
-
While working for the county, the DA’s office alleges that 13 employees fraudulently filed for unemployment, claiming to earn less than $600 a week.
-
The L.A. County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday voted to declare immigration enforcement actions a local emergency.
-
Tens of thousands of workers across Southern California walk out over pay and staffing issues.
-
People in and around recent burn scars should be alert to the risk of debris flows. Typical October weather will be back later this week.
-
Jet Propulsion Laboratory leadership says the cuts amount to 11% of the workforce.