ShakeAlert Provides 10 Second Warning for UC Berkley Before Napa Quake

The ShakeAlert earthquake early warning system demonstration system that is currently being tested by UC Berkley, USGS, and other organizations, provided about a ten-second warning for the UC Berkley Seismo Lab before this morning's 6.0 magnitude earthquake near Napa, as seen in this video released by the UC Berkley Seismo Lab. 

Governor Brown Signs State Bill 135: Earthquake Early Warning for California

Namazu: Japan's Symbol For EEW

On September 24, 2013 California governor Jerry Brown signed "California State Bill 135" that would create a comprehensive state-wide earthquake early warning system for the state of California. The bill states that the Office of Emergency Services has until January 1st of 2016 to determine sources of funding for the system. The bill also "prohibit[s] the office from identifying the General Fund as a funding source to establish the system," meaning the California State Government is unwilling to finance the project. When the system is funded it will still take several years, at the least, to create a robust system. 

Earthquake early warning involves a network of seismometers that detect the fast moving  p-wave of an earthquake, that has a small amplitude, which makes it less damaging than other waves. A computer program then estimates the location and magnitude of the earthquake, before sending out warnings to the public. The warnings reach the public (usually) before the slower and more damaging s-waves and surface waves, that have larger amplitudes, arrive. This is similar to the way we see lightning before we hear thunder. 

The light from the lightning travels at the speed of light, while the sound of the thunder travels at the speed of sound. The closer you are to the lightning strike the more quickly you hear the thunder. This is similar to earthquake early warning. Warnings are sent at nearly the speed of light, while earthquake waves travel at about the speed of sound. The closer one is to the epicenter of the earthquake, the shorter the amount of warning time that person will receive. 

For more information view my other posts regarding earthquake early warning.

Earthquake Early Warning- State Bill 135 Heads Toward the Governor

Just recently on September 12th, the California State Assembly Passed "California State Bill 135," that if signed by the governor before October 13th will create a comprehensive state-wide earthquake early warning system for the state of California. The earthquake early warning system, covered to a greater extent in my earlier posts, will be able to provide precious seconds of warning before an earthquake, in some cases upwards of a minute of warning (as in Japan and Mexico City).

You may ask, how does earthquake early warning function?

Earthquake early warning systems do not predict earthquakes. Instead, they consist of a network of seismometers (The California Integrated Seismic Network in the case of the state of California), that detect the fast moving P-waves of an earthquake when it occurs. The data from the P-waves are used to determine the magnitude as well as location of the epicenter, and warnings are quickly sent out to those who will be affected. 

California State Senator Alex Padilla (who introduced the bill) stated in a press release on the 12th:

"We live in earthquake country. When it comes to earthquakes in California, it is not a matter of if, but when. A fully developed earthquake warning system will provide Californians critical seconds to take cover, assist love ones, or pull over safely to the side of the road. It could allow time to stop a train and power down critical infrastructure. Most importantly it will save lives."

Currently a prototype system known as Shakealert is in place, however it is not yet ready for public use. 

A video of the earthquake early warning system in Japan during the 2011 Tohoku Earthquake is shown. 

For more videos on earthquake early warning visit my up-to-date post: Videos of Earthquake Early Warning

California's Earthquake Early Warning System is Passed by the Senate

This video was created by "EHSUCBerkley"and includes Peggy Hellweg, a geophysicist at UC Berkley discussing the Shakealert System.
(Courtesy of EHSUCBerkley)

On May 28, 2013, the California State Senate voted unanimously (39-0) to pass "State Bill 135," which will create a comprehensive state-wide earthquake early warning system form the state of California. 

The bill states that the bill, if passed by the assembly and signed by the governor, will require:

"(1) Installation of field sensors.(2) Improvement of field telemetry.(3) Construction and testing of central processing and notification centers.(4) Establishment of warning notification distribution paths to the public.(5) Integration of earthquake early warning education with general earthquake preparedness efforts."

The bill will most likely be up for signing by the governor this fall.

In the mean-time... here are some posts on earthquake early warning in order by date:

Earthquake Early Warning Receives 5 Million (4/22/13)

California's Earthquake Early Warning System Clears First Major Hurdle (3/30/13)

Earthquake Early Warning Finally Gets Some Publicity (2/1/13)

Earthquake in Yorba Linda with Reflection on EEW (8/8/12)

In-depth Post on Earthquake Early Warning (7/20/12)

3.1 Earthquake in Playa Del Rey 4/26/13

Shakemap Courtesy of USGS

Update: There recently was another earthquake, magnitude 2.9, struck at 1:08 pm on 
5/9/13. The quake was detected by my QCN Sensor. The verification of the detection can be seen below.

This is the detection of the most recent 2.9 earthquake on 5/9/13
(Image property of Socal Earth Science Blog)

Update: The earthquake was recently downgraded to a 3.1, and a smaller earthquake measuring 2.7 (originally 2.8) on Sunday the 28th, occurred nearby.

At 7:52 pm, a magnitude 3.2 earthquake occurred in Playa Del Rey, just south of the Ballona Wetlands.   The quake had a depth of 8 miles and had an intensity of IV on the Mercalli Scale near the epicenter. The quake's epicenter was near the location of the 3.7 earthquake in Westchester, in July of last year. At my location just to the north I felt light shaking for approximately three seconds (my quakealarm went off), and then a sharp jolt.

The light shaking I felt was the P-wave, while the jolt was the S-wave of the earthquake. This time difference is used in earthquake early warning technology. As you have heard, the P-wave is usually not felt as strongly, while the S-wave is the stronger and causes most of the damage during a large earthquake. 

If you felt the earthquake and would like to report your experience, go to: 

http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/ci15333497#dyfi_form

Earthquake Early Warning Receives 5 Million

Scientists at the US Geological Survey just announced on Friday that they have received five-million dollars to purchase 100 new seismic stations to place throughout SoCal, and to provide for computer processing space. This step will be crucial for creation of an earthquake early warning system, by decreasing the "blind zone," or region that would not receive alerts in the event of a large earthquake.

Los Angeles Mayor Anotonio Villaragiosa stated to the press that, "Our system will be more capable of providing fast, easily understood and actionable warnings that could save lives when the Big One hits."

To see more information on earthquake early warnings see my earlier posts on the subject:
Information on the Passing of State Bill 135 on EEW in California State Senate
A Plethora of Videos on Earthquake Early Warning
EEW in Japan in December 2012 During a 7.3 Earthquake
My Original In-Depth Post on EEW

A Great Example of Why We Need EEW if We Have High Speed Rail

Here is a video of a Shinkansen train slowing to a stop during a 7.1 earthquake in Japan last year. Imagine what could have happened without the earthquake early warning system in Japan.

California's Earthquake Early Warning System Clears First Major Hurdle

On April 9, 2013, the California State Senate approved "State Bill 135" 11-0, to create an earthquake early warning system for California. However, the bill must still be referred to the Committee of Natural Resources and Water (a hearing is set for April 23 of this year), and will need to be voted on again in the coming months.

State Bill 135 states:

"...Japan, Taiwan, Mexico, Turkey, Romania, Italy, and China either have or are working on earthquake early warning systems that are capable of saving lives and helping to mitigate loss... By building upon the California Integrated Seismic Network and processing data from an array of sensors throughout the state, a fully developed earthquake early warning system would effectively detect some strength and progression of earthquakes and alert the public within seconds, sometimes up to 60 seconds, before potentially damaging ground shaking is felt. ... An earthquake early warning system should disseminate earthquake information in support of public safety, emergency response and loss mitigation...." 

4.7 Earthquake in Anza Shows Earthquake Early Warning's Potential

Courtesy of USGS

On March 11, 2013, a magnitude 4.7 earthquake struck about 13 miles ESE of Anza, CA, which is west of the Salton Sea by about 20 miles. The earthquake was located on the San Jacinto Fault, which is very active and is capable of earthquakes around the magnitude of 7.0.

The earthquake was immediately detected, and provided a warning to the test users of the Shakealert system, giving about 30 seconds warning to scientists in Pasadena. The earthquake was originally estimated to be 5.2 in magnitude but was later downgraded to 4.7. Although the system slightly overestimated the magnitude, the quake shows the potential of the warning system to protect vulnerable infrastructure.

If you felt this earthquake in your location and would like to contribute your experience to USGS, visit:
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/ci15296281#dyfi_form

Finally Earthquake Early Warning Gets Some Widespread Publicity

Finally, this month, state senator Alex Padilla introduced a bill to hopefully fund an Earthquake Early Warning System for California. Although many may criticize the system, saying that $80 million dollars can be spent for other important purposes, I believe that this is very small price to pay for a system that can protect valuable infrastructure from billions of dollars of damage.

Earthquake Early Warning in Japan has saved a countless amount of money in sensitive infrastructure since its deployment in October 2007. For example, during the Tohoku Earthquake and Tsunami in 2011 not a single high-speed bullet train in the entire Tohoku Region derailed because of the automatic braking system that kicks when an Earthquake Early Warning is issued. Millions throughout the region were alerted up to a minute before the earthquake that it was coming, when their smart-phones buzzed with the Earthquake Early Warning tone.

NTT Docomo's "Area Mail" with the obvious EEW tone.

This video (stabilized) shows the 3-11 earthquake with the NTT docomo "Area Mail" tone.

This video shows the performance of EEW (On NHK TV) during the Iwate-Miyagi Nairiku Earthquake in 2008, the strongest earthquake after EEW's deployment before the 2011 Tohoku Earthquake.

An instructional video on EEW.

EEW and Tsunami Warning Japan on 12-7-12

This video shows a simulation of a large earthquake in Honshu.

In Southern California, in the event of a large earthquake on the San Andreas Fault, up to a minute of warning would be possible if the system were in place.

A news video on Shakealert on KCAL 9

For more information on Earthquake Early Warning Systems, see my earlier post:
http://socalearthscience.blogspot.com/2012/07/earthquake-early-warnings-saving-lives.html

You can also visit:
The Japan Meteorological Agency's EEW page: http://www.jma.go.jp/jma/en/Activities/eew.html
USGS's EEW page: http://earthquake.usgs.gov/research/earlywarning/
Caltech's EEW page: http://www.eew.caltech.edu/
Japan's EEW on Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earthquake_Early_Warning_(Japan)

Earthquake Swarm in Brawley, CA- 8/26/12

 

Shakemap of the 5.5 Earthquake

The Quake

In the past few days there has been over 1791 earthquakes ranging from not felt (Intensity I) to magnitude 5.5 and 5.3 (Intensity VII and VI) near Brawley, CA. They were felt throughout Southern California and Arizona, and caused damage ranging from broken windows, to large cracks in buildings. Electricity was lost for several hours in places, but was soon returned. The earthquakes were located on the Brawley Seismic Zone near the US-Mexico Border. Footage of the earthquakes can be seen to the right.

Intensity vs. Magnitude

Ok. What is the difference between magnitude and intensity? Magnitude is measured in Movement Magnitude and Richter Scales. The Richter Scale is a base-10 logarithmic scale that measures the amplitude of an earthquake's waves.

What is base-10? Well, base ten means that a magnitude 1 is theoretically 10 times larger than a magnitude 0 and a magnitude 2 is 10 times larger than a magnitude 1 and a magnitude 3 is 10 times larger than a magnitude 2, and so on. The difference between a magnitude 5 and 9 is 10x10x10x10=10,000 times. So a magnitude 5 is nothing compared to a magnitude 9 earthquake. Magnitude is the measurement of the energy released at the epicenter.

Now, on to intensity. Intensity is the measurement of the ground motion, or the effect of the earthquake in a given location. For example, an intensity III earthquake's effects include: being felt by most people indoors, and with vibrations being similar to a large passing truck. For the recent 5.5 earthquake, which was intensity VII, effects include: difficult to stand, furniture broken, negligible damage in well built structures, and slight to moderate damage in ordinary structures.