1.
earthquake alert; earthquake bulletin
An urgent notification about an earthquake, including early warnings issued before shaking arrives and post-earthquake bulletins. A critical part of Japan's disaster preparedness infrastructure.
地震速報が鳴った。
The earthquake alert went off.
スマホの地震速報を確認した。
I checked the earthquake alert on my smartphone.
緊急地震速報が流れた瞬間、全員が机の下に潜った。
The moment the emergency earthquake alert sounded, everyone dove under their desks.
A compound of 地震 (earthquake) and 速報 (bulletin/breaking news). In Japan, the full system is called 緊急地震速報 (Earthquake Early Warning), operated by the 気象庁 (Japan Meteorological Agency).
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 緊急地震速報: emergency earthquake alert (official name)
- 地震速報が鳴る: an earthquake alert sounds
- 地震速報を受け取る: to receive an earthquake alert
- 地震速報が流れる: an earthquake alert is broadcast
CULTURAL CONTEXT:
Japan's earthquake early warning system is one of the most advanced in the world. Alerts arrive on smartphones, TVs, and public speakers seconds before shaking hits. The distinctive alarm sound is immediately recognizable to anyone living in Japan. People in Japan regularly experience these alerts and are trained to respond quickly.