Yeah, but unlike tornadoes or hurricanes, at least your bed won't been found in the next county or state.
Having lived in prime-time earthquake locations near all my life, and now past 4 in a hurricane/tornado area there are differences. Yes, in a hurricane/tornado, one's bed may end up in another county; but the hurricane/tornado cuts a swath; earthquakes affect millions. I don't miss the earthquakes. We get tornado watches here, and Yes, I go into emergency General mode, wearing my Captain's hat, but there's a lot to be said for having time to prepare for a hurricane/tornado, and its effects upon any culture.
That is why this 2-minute warning in Japan is so incredibly remarkable.
Earthquakes are like drive-by shooters. With tornadoes and hurricanes, usually one hears to be on the lookout.
And yes, while your number may be on that hurricane/tornado ("finger of God"); earthquakes hit just about everyone in a much larger area.
Took me about two years to let go of the "earthquake subliminal": Movement? Truck or Quake? Where's my safety zones...
While I still have my "where's my safety zones" subconscious operation going, I'm just not as jumpy when something inanimate begins to move.
And there's none of this "PREPARE FOR THE BIG ONE, STAY TUNED" stuff which I grew up with in California. The hysteria, I'm convinced, can make citizens hysterical. And that's exactly how I do explain to fellow NCer's the insanity of some Californians.. perpetually "doomed" and therefore acting out in ways that are totally bizarre. And why I think CA has so danged many bizarre cult activities. It isn't just the politics; but the nerve-shear of living day in/day out thinking one is living in Proverbial Atlantis...about to slip beneath the waves....