It's a bit insignificant to post this as the Philippines is going through such tragedy, but I did get a scary wake up call on the 28th floor of the Hilton Tokyo this morning. They made announcements in the rooms and stopped the elevators and such....

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/...Name=worldNews

Tokyo area hit by magnitude 5.5 earthquake
(Reuters) - An earthquake with preliminary magnitude of 5.5 shook eastern Japan, including the capital Tokyo, on Sunday morning, but there were no immediate reports of damage and no irregularities at the wrecked Fukushima nuclear power plant.

The earthquake was centered in southwest Ibaraki Prefecture, just northeast of Tokyo. There was no threat of a tsunami.
.......

Completely insignificant event. A beginners quake.

Thank you for your input.

Just adding perspective to Reuters

Not to trivialize natural disasters, but I heard from co-workers that if you're in Japan in a large public venue or meeting and everyone's mobile goes off at once, then everyone stops what they're doing and checks their phone, that's probably the earthquake alert systemwarning of a potential imminent quake.

Whereupon it is observed that no one ACTUALLY moves to a location of safety, instead they just stop moving and waits quietly for about 30 seconds, then resumes their business or activity. The explanation being that the alert gives just a few seconds warning usually, and so if it doesn't hit in 30 seconds, it was a false alarm. But if it does hit ... hmm?

In a large public venue, particularly a modern one, you are probably as safe, if not safer, than anywhere else. People will hang on for 30 seconds as there's no point going elsewhere. Those in shops and Malls may likely behave a little differently, perhaps avoiding furnishings or displays that could tip or from places with excessive quantities of glass.
An early warning would give MrLapLap or his co-workers ample time to get themselves down from a cherry picker or from ladders in a tall building - which will probably survive the quake but sway wildly. Those at home can open up doors and means of exit so that they aren't wedged shut and impede escape.
Those in areas at risk of tsunami face a different dilemma.
People's actions will vary depending on where they are.

As for "if it does hit... hmm?", the question is what happened when it did hit, and at some point it will again.

The early warning system notification arriving at phones gives data on where and how strong the quake is so by a quick glance at the phone anyone can ascertain whether they should duck and cover or stay put. You have about 15-20 seconds to shut off gas (if at home), duck and cover etc. once the early warning notification arrives. To randomly run into the streets as we saw in NY and DC with the earthquake there is the height of stupidity.

You can set the notification level that you desire. I have 4 and it went off. The quake turned out to be 3 in my area but it still woke me up.

The notification arrived maybe 30 seconds after the quake, as usual.

This summer there was a big false alarm where it said "quake coming in 1 minute". Before that I only had one notification for a long time: I think in the summer/fall of 2012. I was driving and I didn't notice anything. I forget if the app detects where you are or if you have to set the area for notification.

Well, if there is a massive quake in a developing country then it is better to get out of the building because the building is likely to collapse. Think of Haiti, which was a moderate quake by Japanese standards.

In Japan the risk is higher to go outside.

Fair point but pretty sure we are talking about Japan and by extension similarly advanced countries/cities (hence the mention of NY and DC). If that was unclear, please allow me to make it clear now. :-)

Let�s give a break to OP (Paella747), was this first time experience of any significant earthquake for Paella747? Do you remember first time experiencing any significant earthquake?

This is like ramming on a person who had sex for the first time. Sure some of you thought you were God�s gift after having sex for the first time. But now you come to realize you are mediocre at best. If you are middle age and still think you are God�s gift�, then you are hopeless�

If it were significant that would be one thing, but by the standards of those operating the infrastructure here it was not. That is a random standard to apply I know, but since the city runs on it, shall we do the same?

Yes, I do remember the first time I was in a significant quake and it really got me thinking I needed to be better prepared.

Not entirely sure what ramming on someone means, but I can guess from context. Never was god�s gift but then again I really have no point of comparison. We all have our own standards in that arena I imagine.

For earthquakes there is data against which we can compare subsequent events. If my initial comment gave the impression I was trying to diminish the OP�s impression, I guess I should apologize. What I had hoped to convey was great disdain for the western press� treatment of the news. I had quite enough of sensationalist earthquake reporting after 3/11.

Sorry, over the last 10 years I have started to lump the US together with Haiti.

But, seriously, if you had a Richter 7-8 in DC or NY then I would get the hell out of the building because it is likely to collapse. But I think that is geologically impossible. Structures in the eastern US are not constructed with earthquakes in mind, especially shoddy private homes.

The structural engineering in Tokyo is really quite impressive. I was in the Yebisu Beer Musuem when 3/11 hit and I would've sworn it was only a 5. I lived most of my live in California so I've been through some quakes.

I didn't know how big that one was until the staff kicked us out and I realized all the trains where shut down-there was an expat in the nearby JR station translating the NHK broadcast for some of us.

Excellent! I am still chuckling about that one

Yes the buildings in the US are shockingly poorly constructed and the management is worse. The thing that struck me about the earthquake in Virginia and the way buildings responded was by having all elevators return to the ground floor and stay there. Utterly beyond belief.