{
  "wireMagic": "pb3",
  "pens": [ {
  
  } ],
  "wsWinStyles": [ {
  
  } ],
  "wpWinPositions": [ {
  
  } ],
  "events": [ {
    "tStartMs": 7525,
    "dDurationMs": 2290,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "In 132 CE,"
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 9815,
    "dDurationMs": 2330,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "Chinese polymath Zhang Heng"
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 12145,
    "dDurationMs": 3440,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "presented the Han court with \nhis latest invention."
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 15585,
    "dDurationMs": 2090,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "This large vase, he claimed,"
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 17675,
    "dDurationMs": 3650,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "could tell them whenever an earthquake \noccurred in their kingdom–"
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 21325,
    "dDurationMs": 3270,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "including the direction \nthey should send aid."
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 24595,
    "dDurationMs": 1910,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "The court was somewhat skeptical,"
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 26505,
    "dDurationMs": 4500,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "especially when the device triggered \non a seemingly quiet afternoon."
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 31005,
    "dDurationMs": 3049,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "But when messengers came \nfor help days later,"
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 34054,
    "dDurationMs": 2560,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "their doubts turned to gratitude."
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 36614,
    "dDurationMs": 4500,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "Today, we no longer rely on pots to \nidentify seismic events,"
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 41114,
    "dDurationMs": 5036,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "but earthquakes still offer a unique\nchallenge to those trying to track them."
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 46150,
    "dDurationMs": 2989,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "So why are earthquakes so \nhard to anticipate,"
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 49139,
    "dDurationMs": 2900,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "and how could we get better \nat predicting them?"
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 52039,
    "dDurationMs": 1060,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "To answer that,"
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 53099,
    "dDurationMs": 4440,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "we need to understand some theories \nbehind how earthquakes occur."
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 57539,
    "dDurationMs": 4255,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "Earth’s crust is made from several vast, \njagged slabs of rock"
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 61794,
    "dDurationMs": 1955,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "called tectonic plates,"
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 63749,
    "dDurationMs": 4730,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "each riding on a hot, partially molten\nlayer of Earth’s mantle."
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 68479,
    "dDurationMs": 2810,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "This causes the plates to \nspread very slowly,"
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 71289,
    "dDurationMs": 3550,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "at anywhere from 1 to 20 \ncentimeters per year."
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 74839,
    "dDurationMs": 2450,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "But these tiny movements are powerful \nenough"
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 77289,
    "dDurationMs": 3510,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "to cause deep cracks in the\ninteracting plates."
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 80799,
    "dDurationMs": 1600,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "And in unstable zones,"
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 82399,
    "dDurationMs": 4820,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "the intensifying pressure may \nultimately trigger an earthquake."
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 87219,
    "dDurationMs": 3030,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "It’s hard enough to monitor these \nminiscule movements,"
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 90249,
    "dDurationMs": 5340,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "but the factors that turn shifts into \nseismic events are far more varied."
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 95589,
    "dDurationMs": 2810,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "Different fault lines juxtapose \ndifferent rocks–"
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 98399,
    "dDurationMs": 3870,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "some of which are stronger–or weaker–\nunder pressure."
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 102269,
    "dDurationMs": 4710,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "Diverse rocks also react differently to\nfriction and high temperatures."
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 106979,
    "dDurationMs": 3452,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "Some partially melt, and can release\nlubricating fluids"
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 110431,
    "dDurationMs": 1799,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "made of superheated minerals"
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 112230,
    "dDurationMs": 2190,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "that reduce fault line friction."
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 114420,
    "dDurationMs": 1950,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "But some are left dry,"
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 116370,
    "dDurationMs": 2770,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "prone to dangerous build-ups of pressure."
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 119140,
    "dDurationMs": 4540,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "And all these faults are subject to \nvarying gravitational forces,"
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 123680,
    "dDurationMs": 4851,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "as well as the currents of hot rocks\nmoving throughout Earth’s mantle."
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 128531,
    "dDurationMs": 3224,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "So which of these hidden variables \nshould we be analyzing,"
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 131755,
    "dDurationMs": 4200,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "and how do they fit into our \ngrowing prediction toolkit?"
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 135955,
    "dDurationMs": 3874,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "Because some of these forces occur \nat largely constant rates,"
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 139829,
    "dDurationMs": 3330,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "the behavior of the plates \nis somewhat cyclical."
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 143159,
    "dDurationMs": 4450,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "Today, many of our most reliable clues \ncome from long-term forecasting,"
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 147609,
    "dDurationMs": 4284,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "related to when and where earthquakes \nhave previously occurred."
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 151893,
    "dDurationMs": 1680,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "At the scale of millennia,"
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 153573,
    "dDurationMs": 3960,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "this allows us to make predictions \nabout when highly active faults,"
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 157533,
    "dDurationMs": 1340,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "like the San Andreas,"
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 158873,
    "dDurationMs": 3070,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "are overdue for a massive earthquake."
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 161943,
    "dDurationMs": 2250,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "But due to the many variables involved,"
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 164193,
    "dDurationMs": 3590,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "this method can only predict \nvery loose timeframes."
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 167783,
    "dDurationMs": 1910,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "To predict more imminent events,"
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 169693,
    "dDurationMs": 5610,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "researchers have investigated the \nvibrations Earth elicits before a quake."
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 175303,
    "dDurationMs": 2687,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "Geologists have long used seismometers"
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 177990,
    "dDurationMs": 3930,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "to track and map these tiny shifts\nin the earth’s crust."
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 181920,
    "dDurationMs": 2990,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "And today, most smartphones are \nalso capable"
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 184910,
    "dDurationMs": 2760,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "of recording primary seismic waves."
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 187670,
    "dDurationMs": 2070,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "With a network of phones around the globe,"
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 189740,
    "dDurationMs": 2940,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "scientists could potentially \ncrowdsource a rich,"
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 192680,
    "dDurationMs": 4265,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "detailed warning system that alerts \npeople to incoming quakes."
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 196945,
    "dDurationMs": 4380,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "Unfortunately, phones might not be able\nto provide the advance notice needed"
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 201325,
    "dDurationMs": 2030,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "to enact safety protocols."
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 203355,
    "dDurationMs": 2720,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "But such detailed readings \nwould still be useful"
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 206075,
    "dDurationMs": 3350,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "for prediction tools like NASA’s \nQuakesim software,"
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 209425,
    "dDurationMs": 2830,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "which can use a rigorous blend of \ngeological data"
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 212255,
    "dDurationMs": 2510,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "to identify regions at risk."
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 214765,
    "dDurationMs": 2000,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "However, recent studies indicate"
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 216765,
    "dDurationMs": 4870,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "the most telling signs of a quake might be\ninvisible to all these sensors."
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 221635,
    "dDurationMs": 1370,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "In 2011,"
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 223005,
    "dDurationMs": 3260,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "just before an earthquake struck \nthe east coast of Japan,"
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 226265,
    "dDurationMs": 3800,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "nearby researchers recorded surprisingly \nhigh concentrations"
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 230065,
    "dDurationMs": 4360,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "of the radioactive isotope pair: \nradon and thoron."
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 234425,
    "dDurationMs": 3742,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "As stress builds up in the crust right \nbefore an earthquake,"
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 238167,
    "dDurationMs": 4240,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "microfractures allow these gases \nto escape to the surface."
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 242407,
    "dDurationMs": 4635,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "These scientists think that if we built \na vast network of radon-thoron detectors"
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 247042,
    "dDurationMs": 1950,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "in earthquake-prone areas,"
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 248992,
    "dDurationMs": 2530,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "it could become a promising \nwarning system–"
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 251522,
    "dDurationMs": 3010,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "potentially predicting quakes \na week in advance."
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 254532,
    "dDurationMs": 700,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "Of course,"
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 255232,
    "dDurationMs": 2200,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "none of these technologies \nwould be as helpful"
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 257432,
    "dDurationMs": 3140,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "as simply looking deep inside \nthe earth itself."
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 260572,
    "dDurationMs": 1670,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "With a deeper view we might be able"
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 262242,
    "dDurationMs": 4610,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "to track and predict large-scale \ngeological changes in real time,"
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 266852,
    "dDurationMs": 3172,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "possibly saving tens of thousands \nof lives a year."
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 270024,
    "dDurationMs": 850,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "But for now,"
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 270874,
    "dDurationMs": 4530,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "these technologies can help us prepare \nand respond quickly to areas in need–"
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 275404,
    "dDurationMs": 4058,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "without waiting for directions \nfrom a vase."
    } ]
  } ]
}