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theConsultantCount t1_itrh3ta wrote

What makes an earthquake 'preliminary'? Is there another one coming?

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LSDrive t1_itrhbyd wrote

It's the initial estimate of the intensity before being further evaluated by the USGS

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taez555 t1_itrl3uk wrote

See... that makes sense. It's a horribly written headline. When did journalist standards get so low. My 6th grade English teacher would have given me, at best, a C four that type of poor gramer. :-)

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im_super_excited t1_its590p wrote

A number of earthquake related headlines, articles, and epicenter images are automated and provide basic information. Not too far off of this account- https://twitter.com/eelectricmiguel

That doesn't excuse them for having a poorly written template that provides no context.

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jennanm t1_ittxvgb wrote

Oh my God I forgot about the eel with a Twitter account. Thanks for making my night

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SideburnSundays t1_itslhyy wrote

Just one more reason the Japanese scale makes more sense for everyone who isn’t a geologist.

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AudibleNod t1_itrhff4 wrote

Aftershocks.

You have a primary earthquake. Which is often the biggest. Then follow on aftershocks. If the primary loosens foundation or support structures, aftershocks can completely destroy a building. Less so, in earthquake prone areas with really good building codes.

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