![]() It takes just a few seconds for algorithms to calculate the intensity and area of shaking, and just a few more seconds to send out a ShakeAlert Message. Meanwhile, shaking recorded by seismometers is sent to processing centers at virtually the speed of light, about 100,000 times faster than seismic waves. As a fault ruptures, it produces seismic waves that travel through the Earth’s crust and shake the surface. As the algorithms continue to receive information, they make increasingly precise estimates about the size of the earthquake, its location, and the areas that may experience shaking.Įarthquakes don’t occur instantaneously instead, underground faults rupture like a zipper, tearing for seconds or tens of seconds. ![]() As more and more sensors feel shaking, fast algorithms at the data processing centers learn that an earthquake is occurring. A network of hundreds of ground motion sensors deployed across the West Coast constantly measures ground motion and sends data to centralized processing centers (including one in Seattle, WA). ShakeAlert does not predict earthquakes before they happen instead, ShakeAlert detects earthquake shaking after it begins and tries to notify people as soon as possible. How can ShakeAlert detect an earthquake before you feel shaking? Learn what each of the ShakeAlert Technical Partners does here. Throttling water utility valves to prevent emptying of reservoirs Īctivating backup generators at hospitals to ensure continued service.īecause ShakeAlert Messages can be distributed by several providers and serve a wide range of functions, you may receive alerts from various sources. Opening firehouse doors so they are not stuck shut Stopping elevators at the nearest floor and opening their doors Other technical partners might take the USGS ShakeAlert data and use it to take automatic actions, including: USGS-licensed Technical Partners take this information and turn it into public alerts, such as notifications in smartphone apps and announcements on PA systems. During an earthquake, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) rapidly publishes this information as raw data. ![]() ShakeAlert algorithms quickly estimate the strength of the earthquake and the areas that will likely feel shaking. Ground motion sensors near the earthquake feel the ground shaking and relay that information to a data processing center. ShakeAlert is an earthquake early warning system that can detect earthquakes rapidly, a few seconds after they begin. The more you know in advance about the ShakeAlert System, including an understanding of its strengths and limitations, the more useful an alert will be to you. Some organizations will even use ShakeAlert Messages to trigger automated actions before earthquake shaking starts.Įarthquake early warning will soon be available to everyone in Washington, Oregon and California. ShakeAlert can save lives and reduce injuries by giving people time to take protective actions like Drop, Cover, and Hold On (DCHO) or to move away from hazardous areas.
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