News Why Japan's earthquake alert chime is so scary

[thomas]

Bone-chilling to any J-resident:

When an earthquake is forecast to reach a lower five or higher on Japan's 7-level seismic intensity scale, public broadcaster NHK transmits a distinctive emergency alert chime across its television and radio services. This sound, instantly recognisable by its unique melody, is designed to cut through noisy surroundings and often elicits a visceral sense of alarm. But what is it about this sound that makes it so effective? The chime was designed by Tohru Ifukube, a 79-year-old professor emeritus at the University of Tokyo, whose field is welfare engineering. He is also notably the nephew of the late Akira Ifukube, the composer behind the iconic central theme of the Godzilla film series.

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According to Ifukube, the alert chime uses a melody where the pitch changes rapidly in a short period. Sound travels as vibrations, which are converted into electrical signals in the inner ear and sent to the brain. This process allows the brain to extract changes in sound, making the chime easy to hear even amid background noise or when hearing ability is diminished. Such sounds with rapid frequency modulation are known as "FM sounds," and natural examples include babies' cries and the calls female monkeys use to attract males. "Among mammals, FM sounds act as stimuli to signal danger," Ifukube explains. [...] "Rather than a buzzer sound, I want music that carries a message," Ifukube thought. His attention then turned to the first chord of the third movement of his uncle Akira's symphony "Sinfonia Tapkaara." By changing the key, the chord's notes became "C, E, G, B-flat, D-sharp." The D-sharp added tension, so he decided to make this chord the base of the chime.

Why is Japan's earthquake alert chime scary? Composer shares sound's science - The Mainichi

TOKYO -- When an earthquake measuring a lower 5 or stronger on the 7-point Japanese seismic intensity scale is predicted, public broadcaster NHK airs

mainichi.jp

 

[johnnyG]

The chime in that video is actually very pleasant.

The 'real' one will grab your attention and not let go.



edit: sorry, that link doesn't work. But if you do get a real earthquake warning, you'll know it. Go to youtube to hear it.

 

[mdchachi]

The chime in that video is actually very pleasant.

The 'real' one will grab your attention and not let go.



edit: sorry, that link doesn't work. But if you do get a real earthquake warning, you'll know it. Go to youtube to hear it.

It's the same chime.