In the News

The news: ShakeAlert, an automated system designed to warn people that an earthquake has occurred and shaking is imminent, is being activated in Washington state today to complete a West Coast rollout of the technology.

How it works: The alert system, operated by the U.S Geological Survey in cooperation with the University of Washington-based Pacific Northwest Seismic Network, does not predict earthquakes before they happen, but is designed to rapidly detect ones that have already begun. Ground motion sensors near the earthquake feel the ground shaking and relay that information to a data processing center. The precise location of the quake is determined and ShakeAlert algorithms quickly estimate the strength and areas that will likely feel shaking.

What you’ll see: People connected to the Wireless Emergency Alert system (the same system that produces AMBER alerts), will now get earthquake alerts for events of magnitude 5 or greater, using a similar interface, the UW reported. The smartphone alert will advise people to drop, cover and hold. Warning times range from a few seconds to tens of seconds depending on your distance to the epicenter.

Android phone users will get an alert built into the phone’s operating system. There is no downloadable app, but you can learn more about how to get alerts here.

They said it: Project leaders and representatives held a virtual news conference on Tuesday to discuss the system and its benefits. Among those involved:

• Harold Tobin, director of the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network and professor of Earth and space sciences at the University of Washington, said the system is not earthquake prediction, but rather a chance to receive a small amount of warning. “It can allow you enough time to gather your thoughts,” Tobin said. “People who feel the shaking tend to freeze up. Knowing it’s coming could change that.”
• Rep. Suzan DelBene, D-Medina, called ShakeAlert “an example of smart community technology” and said she has been pushing for $28.6 million in additional funding from Congress for fiscal year 2022.