Earthquake warning system gets piloted in the US
A new app that warns users when an earthquake is imminent has been launched in its pilot form in Washington and Los Angeles in the US
The earthquake early warning system (EEW) app, ShakeAlert, was developed by the US Geological Survey (USGS) and research universities in California, Oregon and the University of Washington. It uses seismometers and sophisticated computer algorithms to pick up the initial detection waves of an earthquake and sends an alert to people likely to experience shaking, allowing them to take appropriate action.
“The seconds to tens of seconds of advance warning can allow people and systems to take actions to protect life and property from destructive shaking,” the USGS states on its website.
It has been reported that scientists are making plans to assemble a further 100 seismometers in Washington and Oregon in order to establish improved EEW network capability.
For more information, read the USGS’ report on the ShakeAlert system.