Earthquake!

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Are you curious about what causes the earth to shake? Do you know how to stay safe? Join us to learn about earthquake science, safety, and history. Warning: includes many silly jokes and puns ...because learning should be FUN!
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Published 2026-05-19

QuakeFeed v6.6.8, FAQ, & News

16 min
Open

Linda and Sequoya give an overview of the new Post ShakeAlert Message Summaries and answer an FAQ regarding tsuami info. Then James and Sequoya tell some jokes because June is just around the corner, so you know what that means… Yes, we're bringing dad jokes back to QuakeFeed in honor of Father's Day! Lastly, we discuss whether or not Linda is an AI or a human being, and the emails that inspired our upcoming YouTube series. Stay tuned for that! Please scroll down and explore the safety resources below. πŸ‘‡

This podcast is ad-supported because our dream is to remove ads from the QuakeFeed app by the end of 2026. Ads in podcasts are more relevant and less intrusive. If you support the work we're doing and would like to help us keep going, the best way is to subscribe to QuakeFeed Premium. Other things you can do are to rate / review QuakeFeed in the App Store and the Podcast app, and share this with your friends so that we can grow our audience. Thank you πŸ™ 🫢

⏱️ Timestamps

00:00 – Intro joke + where have we been?!

01:06 – Review of recent QuakeFeed updates

02:03 – What are Post ShakeAlert Message Summaries?

02:53 – EEW Emergency Alerts in iOS

03:54 – OMG Sequoya glazes Linda?! What is going on here?

04:02 – Back to the Post ShakeAlert Message Summaries

05:13 – Example: Brawley, CA quake on 5/10

06:16 – Some respectful feedback

07:15 – Dad jokes

07:51 – We're bringing dad jokes back for Father's Day!

08:23 – How to send us your best jokes

08:33 – Where's the blue wave?!

09:07 – How tsunami info works in QuakeFeed

09:52 – Our theory about why fewer quakes are being flagged

10:22 – What is alarm fatigue?

11:02 – What kinds of earthquakes cause tsunami?

11:40 – Tsunami safety info

12:04 – What inspired our new YouTube series?

12:45 – Is Linda an AI?!

13:58 – Sequoya is back to roasting Linda

14:36 – Coming soon: QF origin story

14:47 – What's next + closing thoughts

16:04 – Blooper… we're so cute πŸ₯°

πŸ“š Learn More

πŸ”— How To Enable Emergency Alerts in iOS

https://support.apple.com/en-us/102516

πŸ”— ShakeAlert Educational Resources

https://www.shakealert.org/education-and-outreach/educational-resources/

πŸ”— Post ShakeAlert Message Summaries

https://www.shakealert.org/system-information/post-shakealert-message-summaries/

πŸ”— Brawley, CA Post ShakeAlert Message Summary

https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/ci41461608/shake-alert

▢️ How To Use the Earthquake Data Source and Filters (v6.1.0 and higher)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6MWT_HMegM

🌊 Tsunami Safety Information

πŸ”— USGS: What earthquakes cause tsunami?

https://www.usgs.gov/faqs/what-it-about-earthquake-causes-a-tsunami

πŸ”— Know Your Zone

https://quakefeed.substack.com/p/know-your-zone

πŸ”— 1964 Good Friday Earthquake

https://quakefeed.substack.com/p/1964-good-friday-earthquake

πŸ”— 2025 Kamchatka Earthquake

https://quakefeed.substack.com/p/2025-kamchatka-earthquake

πŸ”— What Do Those Little Icons Mean? (Substack)

https://quakefeed.substack.com/p/quakefeed-v662-what-do-those-little

πŸŽ™οΈ What Do Those Little Icons Mean? (Podcast)

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/quakefeed-6-6-2-what-do-those-little-icons-mean/id1562704664?i=1000741747319

πŸ“š Learn More About Us

πŸ”— Dear QuakeFeed, Linda... or AI Bot?

https://quakefeed.substack.com/p/dear-quakefeed-linda-or-ai-bot

πŸ”— Why We Put Dad Jokes in QuakeFeed

https://quakefeed.substack.com/p/dad-jokes-for-fathers-day

πŸ“± Download QuakeFeed for Real-Time Alerts

Stay informed – get the QuakeFeed app now:

https://apps.apple.com/app/quakefeed-earthquake-alerts/id403037266

Subscribe to QuakeFeed Premium for the full range of features – it's free for 30-days for first-time subscribers.

🌍 Connect with Us

Substack: https://quakefeed.substack.com

YouTube: https://youtube.com/@QuakeFeed

Instagram: https://instagram.com/QuakeFeed

Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/QuakeFeed

πŸ™Œ Support the Show

If you found this episode helpful, please rate, review, and share it. Your support helps others stay informed and prepared.

🎡 Music By Soularflair

Bio on FMA: https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Soularflair/bio

CC-BY License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

QuakeFeed version 6.6.2 is now available in the App Store. This update contains a new feature that we're excited about because it brings us closer to our goal of making the QuakeFeed community the smartest, most knowledgeable group of earthquake nerds on the planet!

Have you ever noticed the small icons in the QuakeFeed earthquake list? Here are some examples:

These icons indicate that there are links to additional information about this event on the earthquake details screen. In the episode, we explain what each icon means, and what to do when you see them.

⏱️ Timestamps

00:00 – Intro

00:21 – Humor to lower stress

00:46 – Our idealistic vision

01:02 – A chance to learn

01:35 – Combating fake AI bullsh*t

02:17 – Blue wave = tsunami info

03:15 – Bar chart = PAGER

04:14 – Binoculars = Aftershock Forecast

05:23 – Bookmark = Substack articles

06:24 – Purple microphone = Podcast episodes

06:57 – Gray W = Wikipedia article

07:20 – Closing

πŸ“š Learn More

What do all those little icons mean? (QuakeFeed Substack, December 2025)

https://quakefeed.substack.com/p/what-do-all-those-little-icons-mean

M7.6 Aomori Prefecture Earthquake (QuakeFeed Substack, December 2025)

https://quakefeed.substack.com/p/m76-earthquake-strikes-off-japans

Seven Steps to Earthquake Safety (Earthquake Country Alliance)

https://www.earthquakecountry.org/sevensteps/

Why We Put Dad Jokes in QuakeFeed (QuakeFeed Substack, June 2025)

https://quakefeed.substack.com/p/dad-jokes-for-fathers-day

πŸ“± Download QuakeFeed for Real-Time Alerts

Stay informed – get the QuakeFeed app now:

https://apps.apple.com/app/quakefeed-earthquake-alerts/id403037266

Subscribe to QuakeFeed Premium for the full range of features – it's free for 30-days for first-time subscribers. We also support Family Sharing, so you can share your subscription with 5 family members. Learn more:

https://support.apple.com/en-us/105062

🌍 Connect with Us

Substack: https://quakefeed.substack.com

YouTube: https://youtube.com/@QuakeFeed

Instagram: https://instagram.com/QuakeFeed

Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/QuakeFeed

πŸ™Œ Support the Show

If you found this episode helpful, please rate, review, and share it. Your support helps others stay informed and prepared.

🎡 Music By Soularflair

Bio on FMA: https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Soularflair/bio

CC-BY License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Published 2025-11-23

6.5.8 Update + Happy Thanksgiving!

2 min
Open

Join Linda and Sequoya as they introduce QuakeFeed v6.5.8, a bug fix update that brings back a fan favorite: Dad Jokes!

For a limited time, we've replaced the ads in the earthquake list with holiday-themed humor. Earthquakes are serious – it's true – but your earthquake app doesn't have to feel bah humbug all the time. And you never know when a terrible pun might come to your rescue at a family gathering.

Not a dad joke fan? (cough Scrooge! cough) QuakeFeed Premium subscribers can turn them off and enjoy a completely joke-free experience.

Download QuakeFeed from the iOS App Store to track earthquakes, wildfires, and volcanoes – now with a side of family humor.

⏱️ Timestamps

00:00 – Welcome

00:23 – What's New in v6.5.8

01:01 – A Coarse Joke

01:15 – A Cute Joke

01:37 – A Gross Joke

01:44 – For the Scrooges

02:07 – Closing + Oops!

πŸ“š Learn More

Why We Put Dad Jokes in QuakeFeed (QuakeFeed Substack, June 2025)

https://quakefeed.substack.com/p/dad-jokes-for-fathers-day

πŸ“± Download QuakeFeed for Real-Time Alerts

Stay informed – get the QuakeFeed app now:

https://apps.apple.com/app/quakefeed-earthquake-alerts/id403037266

Subscribe to QuakeFeed Premium for the full range of features – it's free for 30-days for first-time subscribers. We support Family Sharing, so you can share your subscription with 5 family members. Learn more:

https://support.apple.com/en-us/105062

🌍 Connect with Us

Substack: https://quakefeed.substack.com

YouTube: https://youtube.com/@QuakeFeed

Instagram: https://instagram.com/QuakeFeed

Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/QuakeFeed

πŸ™Œ Support the Show

If you found this episode helpful, please rate, review, and share it. Your support helps others stay informed and prepared.

🎡 Music By Soularflair

Bio on FMA: https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Soularflair/bio

CC-BY License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

In this episode, we begin with Hurricane Melissa, which made landfall in Jamaica on October 28th as a Category 5 storm and then tore a path of destruction through the Caribbean. If you would like to help support disaster response and recover, please visit Charity Navigator. There you can find highly rated organizations that are helping those impacted by Hurricane Melissa.

Then we continue with a QuakeFeed status update. We share our plan and timeline for the next few QuakeFed app updates – including how and when we plan to support iOS 26. We also talk about new content we creating, such as the On This Day in Earthquake History series. We close with a few words about why we think learning about historical earthquake events is important and helpful.

⏱️ Timestamps

00:00 - Welcome & Episode Overview

00:15 – Hurricane Melissa Timeline

00:45 – Melissa's Impact

01:25 – How to Support Melissa Recovery

01:49 – SK Calls Linda Rusty & Robotic

02:18 – What We've Been Working On

02:46 – Plan & Timeline for QuakeFeed Updates

04:03 – Cringey Joke

04:28 – New Help Docs & OTD EQ Series Content

05:09 – Why Learning About Historical EQ is Important

06:21 - Closing

πŸŒ€ How to Help Hurricane Melissa Recovery

Discover highly rated charities providing relief and recovery to those impacted by Hurricane Melissa on Charity Navigator.

https://www.charitynavigator.org/discover-charities/where-to-give/hurricane-melissa-2025/

πŸ“š Learn More About Hurricane Melissa

πŸ”— QuakeFeed Substack: Hurricane Melissa

https://quakefeed.substack.com/p/hurricane-melissa-makes-landfall

πŸ”— Wikipedia: Hurricane Melissa

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurricane_Melissa

πŸ”— NOAA National Hurricane Center

https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/

▢️ Learn More About iOS 26 and Liquid Glass

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGztGfRujSE

πŸ“± Download QuakeFeed for Real-Time Alerts

Stay informed – get the QuakeFeed app now:

https://apps.apple.com/app/quakefeed-earthquake-alerts/id403037266

Want to also view Hurricanes on the QuakeFeed map? Subscribe to QuakeFeed Premium for the full range of features – it's free for 30-days for first-time subscribers.

🌍 Connect with Us

Substack: https://quakefeed.substack.com

YouTube: https://youtube.com/@QuakeFeed

Instagram: https://instagram.com/QuakeFeed

Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/QuakeFeed

πŸ™Œ Support the Show

If you found this episode helpful, please rate, review, and share it. Your support helps others stay informed and prepared.

🎡 Music By Soularflair

Bio on FMA: https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Soularflair/bio

CC-BY License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Published 2025-08-11

2025 Kamchatka Peninsula Earthquake

7 min
Open

On July 30, 2025, at 11:24 a.m. local time, a magnitude 8.8 earthquake struck off the east coast of Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula, generating a Pacific-wide tsunami. Although this powerful earthquake was tied as the sixth strongest ever recorded by seismometers, the tsunami was weaker than initially feared, and the impact in terms of loss of life was minimal. In this episode, we examine how effective planning and warning systems helped minimize casualties. We also debunk a myth about a "parade of erupting volcanoes" and share essential tsunami safety information – all while doing our best to pronounce some beautifully complicated place names.

⏱️ Timestamps

00:00 – Welcome message

00:15 – 2025 Kamchatka Peninsula earthquake

00:33 – Kuril-Kamchatka Trench

00:40 – Shaking intensity & impact

01:00 – Pacific-wide tsunami

01:22 – Tsunami less destructive than feared

01:56 – Lessons from 1952 earthquake

02:24 – Relocation of Severo-Kurilsk

02:37 – Planning + warnings helped save lives

02:48 – Parade of erupting volcanoes?

03:10 – Krasheninnikov eruption

03:22 – Four ongoing eruptions

03:31 – Multiple eruptions not unusual for Kamchatka

04:00 – Subduction zone earthquakes can trigger eruptions

04:33 – Tsunami safety information

05:06 – Natural warning signs

05:45 – 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami: Tilly Smith story

06:51 – Preparedness + education saves lives

06:59 – Our "why"

07:05 – More tsunami safety tips

07:44 – Closing message

πŸ“š Learn More

πŸ”— QuakeFeed Substack: 2025 Kamchatka Peninsula Earthquake

https://quakefeed.substack.com/p/2025-kamchatka-earthquake

πŸ”— Cal OES: Tsunami Preparedness

https://www.caloes.ca.gov/office-of-the-director/operations/planning-preparedness-prevention/seismic-hazards/tsunami-preparedness/

πŸ”— NOAA / NWS: Tsunami Safety

https://www.weather.gov/media/owlie/TsunamiSafety-OnePager-02-28-2019.pdf

πŸ“± Download QuakeFeed for Real-Time Alerts

Stay informed – get the QuakeFeed app now:

https://apps.apple.com/app/quakefeed-earthquake-alerts/id403037266

Want to view the 2025 Kamchatka Peninsula Earthquake on an interactive map that shows the MMI Contours and the Erupting Volcanoes? Subscribe to QuakeFeed Premium for the full range of features – it's free for 30-days for first-time subscribers.

🌍 Connect with Us

Substack: https://quakefeed.substack.com

YouTube: https://youtube.com/@QuakeFeed

Instagram: https://instagram.com/QuakeFeed

Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/QuakeFeed

πŸ™Œ Support the Show

If you found this episode helpful, please rate, review, and share it. Your support helps others stay informed and prepared.

🎡 Music By Soularflair

Bio on FMA: https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Soularflair/bio

CC-BY License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Published 2025-08-06

QuakeFeed v6.5.7 Update

2 min
Open

QuakeFeed v6.5.7 available now in the App Store. We fixed a bug in the Filter by Alert Settings feature. This episode gives a quick overview of this feature and how to adjust data source and filter settings in QuakeFeed. Links to "how to" videos also included below. Big thank you to the member of the QuakeFeed community who brought this bug to our attention!

⏱️ Timestamps

00:00 – QuakeFeed v6.5.7

00:32 – Filter by Alerts

00:59 – Step-by-step Instructions

01:36 – Data Source and Filters

01:47 – Alert Settings

02:20 – How to Send Support Request

πŸ“š Learn More

▢️ How To Use the Earthquake Data Source and Filters (v6.1.0 and higher)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6MWT_HMegM

▢️ How To Set-up Regional Alerts (v6.0.0 and higher)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBW2_i6JUD8

▢️ How To Set-up Nearby Alerts (v6.0.0 and higher)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EE6XSW_9NC0

πŸ“± Download QuakeFeed for Real-Time Alerts

Stay informed – get the QuakeFeed app now:

https://apps.apple.com/app/quakefeed-earthquake-alerts/id403037266

Subscribe to QuakeFeed Premium for the full range of features – it's free for 30-days for first-time subscribers.

🌍 Connect with Us

Substack: https://quakefeed.substack.com

YouTube: https://youtube.com/@QuakeFeed

Instagram: https://instagram.com/QuakeFeed

Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/QuakeFeed

πŸ™Œ Support the Show

If you found this episode helpful, please rate, review, and share it. Your support helps others stay informed and prepared.

🎡 Music By Soularflair

Bio on FMA: https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Soularflair/bio

CC-BY License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Published 2025-07-21

1976 Tangshan Earthquake

8 min
Open

On July 28, 1976, at 3:42 AM, a magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck the sleeping city of Tangshan, China. The official death toll was 242,469, making it the deadliest earthquake since modern seismic recording began.

Why was this earthquake so deadly? Learn about six factors that came together to create a worst case scenario.

⏱️ Timestamps

INTRODUCTION

00:00 – Welcome

00:18 – Topic Introduction

1976 EARTHQUAKE FACTS

00:35 –Tangshan in 1976

00:58 –Date, time, magnitude

01:21 – Deaths and Damage

WHY WAS THIS EARTHQUAKE SO DEADLY?

01:49 – Early morning; people were sleeping

02:20 – What is a survivable void?

02:56 – Shallow earthquake in urban area

03:18 – MMI X and XI shaking intensity

03:47 – Seismic hazard underestimated

04:07 – Unreinforced masonry buildings

04:35 – Sedimentary soils

05:07 – Liquefaction

05:23 – Damage hampered rescue operations

05:54 – Medical infrastructure destroyed

06:06 – Political turmoil

06:22 – International assistance declined

TURNING POINT IN SEISMIC SAFETY

06:55 – National seismic code in 1978

07:11 – Tangshan's reconstruction

07:27 – Tangshan today

CLOSING

07:39 – Tangshan earthquake memorial

08:37 – Closing Message

πŸ“š Learn More

πŸ”— QuakeFeed Substack: 1976 Tangshan Earthquake

https://quakefeed.substack.com/p/1976-tangshan-earthquake

πŸ”— Wikipedia: 1976 Tangshan Earthquake

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1976_Tangshan_earthquake

▢️ Original B/W Footage of the Aftermath of the 1976 Tangshan Earthquake

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGom7kU7b7A

πŸ“± Download QuakeFeed for Real-Time Alerts

Stay informed – get the QuakeFeed app now:

https://apps.apple.com/app/quakefeed-earthquake-alerts/id403037266

Want to view the 1976 Tangshan Earthquake on an interactive map that shows the epicenter and shaking intensity? Subscribe to QuakeFeed Premium for the full range of features – including Historical Earthquakes. It's free for 30-days for first-time subscribers.

🌍 Connect with Us

Substack: https://quakefeed.substack.com

YouTube: https://youtube.com/@QuakeFeed

Instagram: https://instagram.com/QuakeFeed

Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/QuakeFeed

πŸ™Œ Support the Show

If you found this episode helpful, please rate, review, and share it. Your support helps others stay informed and prepared.

🎡 Music By Soularflair

Bio on FMA: https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Soularflair/bio

CC-BY License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Published 2025-07-20

QuakeFeed v6.5.6 Update

2 min
Open

Quick update from QuakeFeed HQ regarding v6.5.6 (available July 21, 2025).

  • How to close the "On This Day in Earthquake History" info panel.
  • Why it's helpful to learn about historical earthquakes.
  • Feature freeze in preparation for iOS 26. (Learn more here.)

⏱️ Timestamps

00:00 – QuakeFeed v6.5.6

01:03 – Why learn about historical earthquakes?

01:42 – Planned OTD for August

02:04 – Feature freeze; prep for iOS 26

πŸ“š Learn More

πŸŽ™οΈ QuakeFeed Podcast: v6.5.5 Update + Safety Tips

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/earthquake/id1562704664?i=1000714749658

πŸ”— Wikipedia: iOS 26

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IOS_26

πŸ“± Download QuakeFeed for Real-Time Alerts

Stay informed – get the QuakeFeed app now:

https://apps.apple.com/app/quakefeed-earthquake-alerts/id403037266

Want to view historical earthquakes on an interactive map that shows the epicenter, shaking intensity, and faults? Subscribe to QuakeFeed Premium for the full range of features – it's free for 30-days for first-time subscribers.

🌍 Connect with Us

Substack: https://quakefeed.substack.com

YouTube: https://youtube.com/@QuakeFeed

Instagram: https://instagram.com/QuakeFeed

Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/QuakeFeed

πŸ™Œ Support the Show

If you found this episode helpful, please rate, review, and share it. Your support helps others stay informed and prepared.

🎡 Music By Soularflair

Bio on FMA: https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Soularflair/bio

CC-BY License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

On July 4, 2019, a magnitude 6.4 earthquake struck near Ridgecrest, a town in California's Mojave Desert. Thirty-four hours later, a magnitude 7.1 earthquake hit the same area – the largest to strike California in 20 years. Shaking was felt across California, Arizona, and Nevada. The earthquakes killed one person, injured 25, and caused surface ruptures stretching 30 miles with ground displacement exceeding six feet. Total damage exceeded $5.3 billion.

Learn about the impact of the Ridgecrest earthquakes and how they became a case study for understanding earthquake cascades and stress transfer between intersecting fault systems. We'll also share an important message about safety and preparedness.

⏱️ Timestamps

INTRODUCTION

00:00 – Welcome Message

00:12 – Topic Introduction

2019 EARTHQUAKE FACTS

00:30 – About Ridgecrest

01:01 – The Earthquake Sequence

01:41 – One Death and 25 Injuries

02:03 – Damage and Economic Impact

02:35 – Surface Rupture

SCIENTIFIC LESSONS

03:05 – Two Perpendicular Fault Systems

03:24 – L-Shaped Rupture Pattern

03:51 – Aftershocks

04:10 – Rethinking Seismic Hazards

OUR EXPERIENCE

04:31 – Did We Feel It?

05:34 – QuakeFeed Emails

06:01 – Reaffirming our "Why"

06:24 – Preparedness Call to Action

CLOSING

06:45 – Closing Message

07:10 – Drop, Cover, Hold On Instructions

πŸ“š Learn More

πŸ”— QuakeFeed Substack: 2019 Ridgecrest Earthquake Sequence

https://quakefeed.substack.com/p/2019-ridgecrest-earthquake-sequence

πŸŽ™οΈ QuakeFeed Podcast: Drop, Cover, and Hold On

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/drop-cover-hold-on/id1562704664?i=1000520234015

πŸ”— CALFIRE: Fireworks Safety

https://readyforwildfire.org/prevent-wildfire/fireworks-safety/

πŸ“± Download QuakeFeed for Real-Time Alerts

Stay informed – get the QuakeFeed app now:

https://apps.apple.com/app/quakefeed-earthquake-alerts/id403037266

Want to view the 2019 Ridgecrest Earthquake Sequence on an interactive map that shows the epicenter, shaking intensity, and faults? Subscribe to QuakeFeed Premium for the full range of features – including Historical Earthquakes. It's free for 30-days for first-time subscribers.

🌍 Connect with Us

Substack: https://quakefeed.substack.com

YouTube: https://youtube.com/@QuakeFeed

Instagram: https://instagram.com/QuakeFeed

Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/QuakeFeed

πŸ™Œ Support the Show

If you found this episode helpful, please rate, review, and share it. Your support helps others stay informed and prepared.

🎡 Music By Soularflair

Bio on FMA: https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Soularflair/bio

CC-BY License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

On June 29, 1925, at 6:44 a.m., a magnitude 6.8 earthquake struck Santa Barbara, California, killing 13 people and damaging 85% of its downtown buildings. Three brave and quick-thinking utility workers immediately cut power and gas to the entire city, preventing widespread fires, saving lives, and shielding Santa Barbara from further destruction.

This gave engineers and seismologists a rare laboratory for studying seismic damage without fire obscuring the destruction patterns. What they learned led Santa Barbara to adopt comprehensive seismic building codes. But the city didn't just build back safer. By mandating both earthquake-resistant construction and a unified Spanish Colonial Revival style, Santa Barbara was reborn as an iconic coastal destination.

⏱️ Timestamps

INTRODUCTION

00:00 – Welcome

00:20 – 100th Anniversary of 1925 quake

1925 EARTHQUAKE FACTS

00:35 – Date, time, magnitude

00:46 – Deaths and Damage

01:13 – Economic Impact

01:28 – No Widespread Fires

02:26 – Lessons Learned from the Damage

03:04 – Rebuilding Safer and Beautifully

SANTA BARBARA TODAY

03:49 – Iconic Coastal City

04:14 – Santa Barbara County Courthouse

CLOSING

04:47 – Closing Message

πŸ“š Learn More

πŸ”— QuakeFeed Substack: 1925 Santa Barbara Earthquake

https://quakefeed.substack.com/p/1925-santa-barbara-earthquake

πŸ“± Download QuakeFeed for Real-Time Alerts

Stay informed and safe – get the QuakeFeed app now:

https://apps.apple.com/app/quakefeed-earthquake-alerts/id403037266

Subscribe to QuakeFeed Premium for the full range of features – including Historical Earthquakes. It's free for 30-days for first-time subscribers.

🌍 Connect with Us

Substack: https://quakefeed.substack.com

YouTube: https://youtube.com/@QuakeFeed

Instagram: https://instagram.com/QuakeFeed

Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/QuakeFeed

πŸ™Œ Support the Show

If you found this episode helpful, please rate, review, and share it. Your support helps others stay informed and prepared.

🎡 Music By Soularflair

Bio on FMA: https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Soularflair/bio

CC-BY License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Published 2025-06-27

QuakeFeed v6.5.5 Update + Safety Tips

7 min
Open

A quick update from QuakeFeed HQ! Here's what we've been working on:

  • "On This Day in Earthquake History" β€” now available as Substack posts and podcast episodes.

  • QuakeFeed v6.5.5 is out now! This update includes links to our "On This Day" Substack and podcast content.

  • Preparing for Apple's "Liquid Glass" β€” a major iOS redesign is coming in September 2025. Learn more here.

  • Plus: A a few quick safety reminders to help you stay prepared.

⏱️ Timestamps

INTRODUCTION

00:00 – Welcome

00:10 – What's in this episode

NEW CONTENT FROM QUAKEFEED

00:25 – Relaunch of QuakeFeed Podcast

01:02 – QuakeFeed Substack

01:15 – On This Day in Earthquake History

01:35 – Earthquake Safety Tip

QUAKEFEED APP UPDATE

02:10 – QuakeFeed v6.5.5 Update

02:45 – Major iOS Redesign: Liquid Glass

03:20 – Preparation for Liquid Glass

03:50 – How to Send a Support Request

WILDFIRE SAFETY INFO

04:00 – Wildfire Data Sources

04:45 – Who updates the wildfire databases?

04:55 – New, Fast-Moving Fires: Possible Time Delay

05:32 – Know How to Stay Informed in Emergencies

05:55 – Sign-up for Local Emergency Alert System

CLOSING

06:20 – Closing Message

πŸ“š Learn More

▢️ Apple: Introducing Liquid Glass

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGztGfRujSE

πŸ“± Download QuakeFeed for Real-Time Alerts

Stay informed and safe – get the QuakeFeed app now:

https://apps.apple.com/app/quakefeed-earthquake-alerts/id403037266

Subscribe to QuakeFeed Premium for the full range of features – including Historical Earthquakes. It's free for 30-days for first-time subscribers.

🌍 Connect with Us

Substack: https://quakefeed.substack.com

YouTube: https://youtube.com/@QuakeFeed

Instagram: https://instagram.com/QuakeFeed

Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/QuakeFeed

πŸ™Œ Support the Show

If you found this episode helpful, please rate, review, and share it. Your support helps others stay informed and prepared.

🎡 Music By Soularflair

Bio on FMA: https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Soularflair/bio

CC-BY License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Join Linda, James, and Sequoya as they honor dads everywhere with earthquake-themed dad jokes – we're talking truly groan-worthy puns about tectonic plates, fault lines, and confused pets trying to figure out earthquake drills. This special Father's Day episode pays tribute to James's late father, a legendary math teacher and swim coach who brought humor into everything he did.

For a limited time, we've also replaced the ads in QuakeFeed's earthquake list with these same dad jokes – and many more! Because while earthquakes are serious business, your earthquake app doesn't have to feel grim all the time.

Download QuakeFeed from the iOS App Store to track earthquakes, wildfires, and volcanoes – now also with a side of family humor.

Psst... Not a dad joke fan? QuakeFeed Premium subscribers can turn them off and get a completely joke-free experience.

Psst again... Already a Premium subscriber but you actually WANT the jokes? Don't worry – just turn them on in QuakeFeed's settings menu!

Hosts Linda and Sequoya explore the catastrophic 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens through the contrasting stories of two men: 83-year-old lodge owner Harry R. Truman, who stubbornly refused evacuation despite repeated warnings, and 30-year-old volcanologist David A. Johnston, whose final radio transmissionβ€”"Vancouver! Vancouver! This is it!"β€”immortalized his ultimate sacrifice for public safety. Through vivid storytelling, the podcast chronicles the dramatic sequence of events from the first warning signs to the fateful morning of May 18, 1980, when a magnitude 5.1 earthquake triggered history's largest recorded landslide and an unexpected lateral blast. Truman, paradoxically both dismissive of the danger and accepting of his fate, chose to remain with the mountain that had shaped his identity. Johnston, though positioned at what was considered a safe observation distance, tragically found himself directly in the eruption's path. Beyond these personal stories, the episode captures remarkable survivor accounts, details the eruption's devastating economic consequences, and explores how this disaster fundamentally changed our scientific understanding of volcanic hazards and revolutionized monitoring approaches worldwide. ⏱️ Timestamps

INTRODUCTION:

00:00 – Welcome

01:50 – Why we made this episode

HISTORICAL CONTEXT:

02:50 – "Mount Fuji of the Pacific Northwest"

04:00 – Mount St. Helens Wakes Up

THE TWO MEN

06:40 – Meet Harry R. Truman

08:30 –Truman Refuses to Evacuate

11:20 – Meet David A. Johnston

12:15 – Johnston's Bravery

13:00 – Red Zone Established

MAY 18, 1980 ERUPTION SEQUENCE

13:45 – Earthquake, Landslide, Lateral Blast

15:35 – Johnston's Last Radio Transmission

16:00 – Truman's Fate

16:35 – Gerry Martin's Radio Transmission

17:20 – Photos of Landslide and Lateral Blast

19:00 – Plinian Eruption

19:50 – Lahars

AFTERMATH & IMPACT

21:05 – Economic Impact

21:30 – Advances in Scientific Understanding

22:10 – Public Safety Lessons

CLOSING

23:20 – Closing Thoughts

24:25 – What's Next

πŸ“š Learn More

▢️ Mount St. Helens – Full Playlist on YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLO683wv5Jx1EmLc_-N7vTUyw8mtNJNgJP

▢️ Gary Rosenquist Sequence – AI Animated

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNlP9TGZOMI ▢️ Remembering David Johnston

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sg2rufseJ_w πŸ”— From Quiet Mountain to Cataclysm

https://quakefeed.substack.com/p/from-quiet-mountain-to-cataclysm

πŸ“± Download QuakeFeed for Real-Time Alerts

Stay informed and safe – get the QuakeFeed app now:

https://apps.apple.com/app/quakefeed-earthquake-alerts/id403037266

Subscribe to QuakeFeed Premium for the full range of features – including the Erupting Volcanoes map layer. It's free for 30-days for first-time subscribers.

🌍 Connect with Us

Substack: https://quakefeed.substack.com

YouTube: https://youtube.com/@QuakeFeed

Instagram: https://instagram.com/QuakeFeed

Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/QuakeFeed

πŸ™Œ Support the Show

If you found this episode helpful, please rate, review, and share it. Your support helps others stay informed and prepared.

🎡 Music By Soularflair

Bio on FMA: https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Soularflair/bio

CC-BY License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Published 2021-10-18

Plate Tectonics (part 1)

12 min
Open

We exhaust our repertoire of tectonic plate jokes while introducing the following topics: the earth's layers, what are tectonic plates, three types of plate boundaries, plate boundaries vs faults, and how earthquakes happen.

This is a brief overview to lay the groundwork. (… pun intended!) Future episodes will dive deeper.

INTERACTIVE LESSON We explain how to use the QuakeFeed app to locate plate boundaries and faults on the Quake Map. Download QuakeFeed from the App Store

ASK THE SCIENCE KID We answer an interesting question about earthquakes in Antarctica.

Our goal is to inspire CURIOSITY!

We hope you and your family enjoy our lighthearted humor while learning something new about this AWESOME planet we call home.

LINKS TO LEARN MORE

The Great ShakeOut: Join 14+ million people on October 21st by practicing how to be safer during earthquakes. https://www.shakeout.org

IRIS Earthquake Science: Earthquake Faults, Plate Boundaries, & Stress https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8HxRVJPXNLM

USGS: Do earthquakes occur in Antarctica? https://www.usgs.gov/faqs/do-earthquakes-occur-antarctica USGS: Listening to the Earth at the South Pole (QSPA) https://www.usgs.gov/natural-hazards/earthquake-hazards/science/listening-earth-south-pole

*NOT A FULL EPISODE* Just a quick announcement about QuakeFeed v5.1.0, available now in the App Store. This update adds three new features: USA Wildfires, Map Legend, and Aftershock Forecasts.

The USA Wildfires data layer requires a QuakeFeed Premium subscription. While viewing the map, tap on a wildfire symbol to view detailed information, such as: acres burned, percent contained, how many buildings were destroyed, how many firefighters are fighting it, etc.

The Map Legend and Aftershock Forecasts features are included in the free / ad-supported version. You will find the Map Legend button in the top right corner of the map. The USGS Aftershock Forecasts are linked in Quake Details. NOTE: The USGS only publishes aftershock forecasts for larger earthquakes. These quakes will include the words "Aftershock Forecast" in the Quake List, to let you know that it is available.

Next month, we will add more more wildfire features to QuakeFeed Premium, such as wildfire alerts and a wildfire list view.

We hope to get back to full podcast episodes soon. We have been coping with a family medical emergency for the past several months. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

We hope you enjoy QuakeFeed v5.1.0. If you have any questions, concerns, or feedback, please tap the ? in the top right corner of QuakeFeed then tap Ask to send us a support email.

Published 2021-05-05

Drop, Cover, Hold On!

18 min
Open

You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll learn how to protect yourself in an earthquake!

When the shaking starts, what should you do? We use a bit of humor to help you remember that Drop, Cover and Hold On reduces your chance of injury in an earthquake. We also dispel some common myths about earthquake safety. We hope you enjoy. Stay safe!

Links for more learning:

Drop, Cover, Hold On | Shakeout.org https://www.shakeout.org/dropcoverholdon/

EARTHQUAKE SAFETY VIDEO SERIES

If You're Near a Sturdy Desk or Table https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GSDmqLQmMN0&t=9s

If There's NO Sturdy Desk or Table https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HxMCoE0CIcA

If You're in Bed https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I922_UR8hpM

If You Have a Mobility Disability https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZtDYlOfwrQ

LA Story earthquake scene https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Yz2RC9C1tM

Published 2021-04-18

A Trip Down Market Street

16 min
Open

Linda and Sequoya travel through time to April 14, 1906 and visit San Francisco. They ride a cable car down Market Street and see a bustling, prosperous city. Next, they travel forward four days and witness the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake. The devastating M7.9 quake and the fire that followed took 3,000 lives and destroyed 80% of the city. It also marked the dawn of modern scientific earthquake research in the United States.

If you're curious to learn more, explore the links below.

A trip down Market Street before the fire https://www.loc.gov/item/00694408/

A Trip Down Market Street, 1906 - 4k, Colorized, 60fps https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Ok_lwYyHWo

Rediscovered film takes a trip through San Francisco in ruins https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fm1XSX8Un5Q

San Francisco earthquake and fire, April 18, 1906 https://www.loc.gov/item/00694425/

The Great 1906 San Francisco Earthquake https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/events/1906calif/18april/

Devastation of 1906 San Francisco Earthquake https://www.usgs.gov/media/images/devastation-1906-san-francisco-earthquake

1906 San Francisco earthquake https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1906_San_Francisco_earthquake

Elastic rebound with Single Block Model https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYQLIpo4kwk

Elastic Rebound Talk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iB6jl37LbqA

Earthquake Intensityβ€”What controls the shaking you feel? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BP7gKXLjqxk

Mercalli Intensity Scale Explained https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHSJcYDaKlc

New Map Reveals Ships Buried Below San Francisco https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/map-ships-buried-san-francisco

Thank you for listening, we hope you enjoyed our podcast!

Be one of the first 20 people to send us feedback and we'll send you an offer code for one year of QuakeFeed Premium! Here's how: In QuakeFeed, tap the ? in the top right corner and then tap Ask to send us a message. Tell us your thoughts - what you did or didn't like, or any other feedback you have.

Published 2021-04-12

Trailer: Earthquake!

1 min
Open

Coming soon, a new podcast about earthquake science and safety. Are you curious about what causes the earth to shake? Do you know how to stay safe when it does? Join us to learn the answers to these questions and more. We'll also share interesting stories about historical earthquakes and discuss notable quakes that happened recently.