L.A. SPEAK : Seismologists and Field Technicians

coffin site n . ground where instruments used to measure earthquakes are put into coffin-sized boxes and buried. “Installing a coffin site is a field technician’s worst detail.”

dead candidate n. a long-dormant fault that suddenly shows signs of activity. “The Frew Fault is definitely a dead candidate. “

jugs n . seismometers, which are jug-shaped. “My jugs weren’t working so I had to return to the shop.”

Mogi doughnut n . a roughly circular area hit by quakes that is often a precursor to a larger temblor at the center of the circle. Named for the Japanese scientist who recognized the phenomenon.

Seismom seismologist and U.S. Geological Survey spokeswoman Lucille M. Jones. “Everyone always feels better when Seismom gets on the air.”

seismophobe n. someone with an overwhelming fear of earthquakes. “He’s such a seismophobe, he hides under his desk when a garbage truck goes by.”

sensitives n . people who develop symptoms, like the “seismic flu” or headaches, before a quake. Often they will call the USGS to “predict” a quake. “Most sensitives are just hypochondriacs, but a few seem to know what they are talking about.”

sympathetic faulting n . earthquake chain reactions; when activity on one fault triggers a connected or adjoining fault. Syn. sympathetic quake.

swarm n . a series of earthquakes or aftershocks that occurs at one time or in one location. 10 months pregnant adj. a segment of a fault that is long overdue for a rupture. “Keep an eye south; the Mojave end of the San Andreas is 10 months pregnant .”

totally nodal adv. utterly calm and stable. From a physics term meaning a point or region in a seismic wave where there is relatively no vibration. “How’s it going?” “Totally nodal; Mother Earth is calm.”