

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. Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) messages.People in Washington will be able to receive ShakeAlert Messages directly on their phones through three pathways:
SEATTLE WEATHER ALERT ANDROID
This video explains the basics of ShakeAlert on Android OS.
SEATTLE WEATHER ALERT DOWNLOAD
Those with phones running the Android OS will be able to get ShakeAlert Messages automatically, without having to download a specific app. Both apps are available on iPhones and Android devices, and can be found in the App Store or Google Play, respectively. There are two ShakeAlert-powered smartphone apps available in Oregon: QuakeAlertUSA and MyShake. WEA messages are available in both English and Spanish. Make sure WEA messages are enabled on your phone to receive ShakeAlert Messages through the WEA system. Similar to AMBER alerts or severe weather alerts, these are turned on by default on most modern smartphones. People in Oregon are able to receive ShakeAlert Messages directly on their phone through up to three methods: There will be multiple ways to get ShakeAlert Messages, including through mobile apps, emergency alerts on cell phones, and public address systems in buildings. ShakeAlert®, the US West Coast’s new earthquake early warning system, is publicly available in California and will be coming to the Pacific Northwest in 2021. What Is ShakeAlert® and How Does It Work?
