{"id":786,"date":"2021-02-16T12:44:36","date_gmt":"2021-02-16T20:44:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kdockfm.com\/?p=786"},"modified":"2021-02-16T12:44:36","modified_gmt":"2021-02-16T20:44:36","slug":"earthquake-early-warning-alerts-directly-to-wireless-devices-in-oregon","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ms1.bicoastal.media\/kdock_old\/state\/earthquake-early-warning-alerts-directly-to-wireless-devices-in-oregon\/","title":{"rendered":"Earthquake early warning alerts directly to wireless devices in Oregon"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Source: USGS – Starting March 11, 2021, ShakeAlert\u00ae-powered earthquake early warning alerts will be available for delivery directly to wireless devices in Oregon. In May 2021, Washington state will follow suit and complete the ShakeAlert public alerting rollout across the entire West Coast. California enabled ShakeAlert-powered alerts in October 2019.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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As massive slabs of\u00a0Earth\u00a0squish\u00a0into and grind past each other off the coast of the Pacific Northwest, many people may wonder when they will feel ensuing earthquakes.<\/p>\n

Although the U.S. Geological Survey cannot predict where and when future earthquakes will occur, the bureau, along with a team of organizations, helped create a system that can provide vital seconds of warning that an earthquake is\u00a0happening\u00a0and shaking is imminent.<\/p>\n

The\u00a0ShakeAlert\u00ae\u00a0Earthquake Early Warning system<\/a> is a network of sensors that\u00a0collects and shares real-time information about the magnitude, location, and expected shaking from earthquakes on the West Coast to distribution partners who then deliver alerts via cell phones and the internet. Partners can also\u00a0initiate automatic protective actions such as stopping trains to prevent derailments and closing water valves to protect infrastructure.<\/p>\n

ShakeAlert\u00a0can save lives and reduce injuries<\/a>\u00a0by giving people\u00a0time\u00a0to take protective actions, such as moving away from hazardous areas and making sure to drop, cover and hold on.\u00a0ShakeAlert\u00a0complements existing products from the\u00a0Advanced National Seismic System<\/a>\u00a0that contribute to earthquake risk reduction.<\/p>\n

For the first time,\u00a0ShakeAlert-powered alerts will be delivered directly to wireless devices<\/a>\u00a0in Oregon starting on March 11, 2021. Oregon will be the second state to \u201dgo live,\u201d following California on October 17, 2019. Washington state will join Oregon and California in May 2021, which will complete the wireless alert delivery rollout across the entire continental West Coast.<\/p>\n

For more than two years, a growing number of\u00a0ShakeAlert\u00a0technical partners in all three states have been using the\u00a0ShakeAlert\u00a0system for triggering automated actions to support public safety. Although\u00a0ShakeAlert\u00a0is\u00a0operational\u00a0in all three states, the USGS and its university and state partners are working to finish building the seismic network\u00a0to\u00a0support prompt\u00a0earthquake detection. The network is now\u00a070% complete for the West Coast, with 1,132 out of 1,675 seismic stations installed as of Jan. 31, 2021.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe rollout of public alerting for ShakeAlert in the Pacific Northwest is a major milestone in the evolution of this critical system and has the potential to provide users with life-saving warnings seconds before they experience damaging shaking in future earthquakes,\u201d Gavin Hayes, USGS senior science advisor for earthquake and geologic hazards, said. \u201cThis represents a major achievement for the USGS, the ANSS, and for our state and regional partners.\u201d<\/p>\n

Upcoming events\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

To help residents of the Pacific Northwest learn how to\u00a0use\u00a0ShakeAlert, a team of organizations is rolling out various events and resources over the next few months.<\/p>\n