EarthquakesImproving earthquake early warning systems, data collection

Published 4 September 2014

Researchers are working on what will be the U.S. first earthquake early warning system available to the public. Once fully implemented, the system will use networks of seismic instrumentation to detect when an earthquake is pending and send alerts via text message or other mass notification systems to people. The researchers are also workingon the Quake-Catcher Network to improve monitoring of earthquake activity around the world. Officials and city planners can use the data provided by Quake-Catcher to help decide where to build critical infrastructure such as power plants, hospitals, and water lines.

Researchers with the U.S. Geological Survey’s (USGS) Earthquake Science Center, the California Institute of Technology, University of California- Berkeley, University of Washington, Eidgenossische Technische Hochschule Zurich, and the Southern California Earthquake Center have been developing what will be the U.S. first earthquake early warning system available to the public. Currently in prototype-phase, the system, called ShakeAlert, will notify residents of California and the Pacific Northwest of an incoming quake seconds to few minutes in advance.

Elizabeth Cochran, a research geophysicist at the Earthquake Science Center who is working on the ShakeAlert system, told the Washington Post that “Earthquakes are an increasing threat to ever-growing number of cities throughout the U.S. and the world,” said Cochran. “Our goal is to reduce the exposure people have to earthquake damage while answering fundamental questions about why earthquakes occur when and where they do.”

Once fully implemented, ShakeAlert will use networks of seismic instrumentation to detect when an earthquake is pending and send alerts via text message or other mass notification systems to people.

Cochran is also working with Jesse Lawrence, an assistant professor in Stanford University’s Department of Geophysics, to improve monitoring of earthquake activity around the world. The Quake-Catcher Network, a series of small, low-cost sensors installed to desktops, phones, or laptops of regular citizens, records moderate-to-large earthquakes and aftershocks. The sensors, acting as temporary seismic stations, enable scientists automatically to monitor and gather data from six months to a year after an earthquake. The network has provided Cochran with rich data sets better to locate earthquakes, and understand ruptures and seismic wave propagation.

Officials and city planners can use the data provided by Quake-Catcher to help decide where to build critical infrastructure such as power plants, hospitals, and water lines.

Over 100 seismometers are installed in schools, museums, and park visitor centers in vulnerable areas in Alaska, California, and Washington. “The Quake-Catcher Network is a real opportunity to engage people in the collection of data. It enables individuals to not only get ready for the next earthquake, but also better understand how earthquakes work,” said Robert Michael de Groot, Education Program Manager at the Southern California Earthquake Center.