The other panel we can see in this image is the Ground Proximity Warning System (GPWS).

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Earlier testing also revealed problems with a Federal Aviation Administration ground-proximity warning system.

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Okay, so JMA's newest pre-quake warning system doesn't cover as much ground as SMS alerts, but with only 10 to 20 seconds of available panic time before an earthquake hits, we'd probably be toppling over one another before we could even find our cellphone anyway.

ENGADGET: Japan Meteorological Agency develops earthquake warning system