What if you could get a notice of earthquake shaking before itâs felt at your location? The technology exists, is already in place along most of the West Coast and operational for key infrastructure systems such as automatic water valve shutoffs and starting back-up generators.
ShakeAlert®, an earthquake early warning system powered by the U.S. Geological Survey, uses science and technology to detect significant earthquakes quickly so alerts can reach people before shaking arrives. These seconds of advance warning allow people and systems to take actions to protect life and property from destructive shaking.
In Oregon, ShakeAlert-powered alert delivery to wireless devices such as cell phones via the Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) System, mobile apps and other technologies will begin as of 10 a.m. on March 11. No specific action is needed for WEA alerts and for cell phones using the Android operating system. The mobile app, QuakeAlertUSA, is currently available in Oregon.