California’s earthquake warning system notified millions ahead of today’s Southern California quake

Following the earthquake, there have been greater than 20,000 new downloads of the MyShake App in simply 3 hours.
 
Along with the emergency alerts despatched to people via MyShake and smartphones, California can be utilizing the know-how to automate protecting actions reminiscent of opening firehouse doorways, recalling elevators, shutting off water and gasoline valves in addition to closing gates on bridges and notifying personnel at school and medical settings.

“All Californians ought to obtain the MyShake app on their cellphones to assist them put together for earthquakes,” mentioned Cal OES Director Nancy Ward. “With these notices, individuals can take life-saving steps earlier than shaking begins.”
 
In 2019, on the thirtieth anniversary of the lethal Loma Prieta earthquake, Governor Newsom introduced the launch of the nation’s first statewide Earthquake Early Warning System.
 
Constructing on this success of the Governor’s 2019 launch, in 2020 Governor Newsom introduced a partnership with Google to include California’s earthquake early warning know-how into all Android smartphones.
 
Warnings delivered via the California Earthquake Early Warning System are powered by ShakeAlert, a computerized program operated by the US Geological Survey (USGS) in partnership with Cal OES that analyzes information from seismic networks in California, calculates preliminary magnitudes, after which estimates which areas will really feel shaking. Seismic networks companions embrace the California Geological Survey, College of California, Berkeley Seismological Laboratory and California Institute of Know-how Seismological Laboratory.
 
The California Earthquake Early Warning System marries a smartphone utility with conventional alert and warning supply strategies reminiscent of Wi-fi Emergency Alerts (WEA). With the latest integration of early warning know-how inside the preferred smartphones in California, the system can ship alerts to most Californians. The system makes use of floor movement sensors from throughout the state to detect earthquakes earlier than people can really feel them. Below the state’s management, 50% extra sensors have been put in because the program launched making the system extra correct and in a position to ship alerts sooner.

How one can obtain alerts

To obtain earthquake warnings, there are 3 ways for people and households to get alerts via the Earthquake Warning California system.

• MyShake App: Free smartphone app that gives iPhone customers with audio and visible warnings, accessible in each English and Spanish.
• Smartphones: The vast majority of smartphones with up to date working programs are robotically subscribed to earthquake early warning which makes use of the identical know-how because the MyShake App; and
• Wi-fi Emergency Alerts (WEAs): No-cost textual content messages for emergency conditions despatched via the nation-wide system offering lifesaving info for the State of California

To be taught extra about earthquake preparedness and obtain the earthquake early warning utility, go to: www.earthquake.ca.gov.