How Hollywood Gets Earthquake Science Right—And Wrong

Image: Dennis Lan/Caltech

For more than a century, Caltech’s Seismological Laboratory has transformed society’s understanding of earthquakes and geophysics through advanced instrumentation, data science, experimentation, engineering, and public outreach.

To celebrate the Seismo Lab’s centennial, the Caltech Science Exchange, in collaboration with the Dr. Lucy Jones Center for Science and Society, will host a public event in Beckman Auditorium in November called “Shaking in our Seats: Earthquake Science on the Big Screen,” to explores the science behind earthquakes in films such as 1974’s Earthquake and 2015’s San Andreas. Moderated by seismologist Lucy Jones, a panel of scientists, engineers, and disaster-response professionals will provide insight into what happens during and after earthquakes, how scientists and government officials interact, and the future of the field. Audience members will hear what Hollywood has done right and what it has done wrong, and will have the opportunity to ask questions.

The event is scheduled for Saturday, November 12, at 1 p.m. Get more information here.