Seismic Hazard Map – Credit USGS
# 7833
Japan has one, as does Mexico, China, and Romania. An automated alert system that could provide invaluable seconds, or perhaps even a few minutes, warning of a major earthquake to some of the most seismically vulnerable areas of the United States.
Enough time to slow or stop trains or monorails, enough time to alert children in schools to get outside or under their desks, even enough advance warning for hazardous chemical manufacturers or nuclear power plants to take steps to safe their operations.
Although California has been testing a small scale warning system – created and run by academic institutions - for the past two years, it is more of a proof of concept than a full-fledged system. Recently a bill was passed by the California legislature to move forward with an expansion of the system (see AP article Bill would create California quake warning system), but does not address where the money will come from to run it.
Yesterday, Richard Allen - director of the Berkeley Seismological Laboratory and a professor in the Department of Earth and Planetary Science at the University of California, Berkeley – wrote an appeal in the Journal Nature for such a system to be funded – first in California, then across the nation – before the next big quake hits.
You an read his comment at the link below.
Seismic hazards: Seconds count
02 October 2013
The United States should install an earthquake early-warning system now — and before the next big one hits, says Richard Allen.
The United States will be hit by a major earthquake causing hundreds of fatalities within my lifetime. Whether it will be in 20 years, 2 years, or tomorrow, we do not know. Such an event will prompt the country to implement a public earthquake early-warning system, giving people seconds or minutes to prepare for the shaking. Rather than waiting until the next big quake galvanizes political action, I believe that we must build an alert system now.
And a reminder (see NPM13: A Whole Lotta Shakeouts Going On), two weeks from today, California – along with many other states and regions – will be holding their annual Shakeout Earthquake drill.
(click image to visit Shakeout.org)
Millions of residents, from the United States and Canada, to New Zealand, Italy, and Japan, will take part in this yearly Drop, Cover, & Hold On drill. A video, demonstrating the technique is available on the California Shakeout Youtube Channel.
If you live in any of these regions, I would encourage you to participate in, and support, these annual disaster drills.
