Under the leadership of Governor Gavin Newsom, California has pioneered a groundbreaking Earthquake Early Warning System that is the first of its kind in the nation. This innovative system utilizes a network of ground motion sensors distributed across the state to notify residents of impending seismic activity. With the MyShake App, which has amassed over 4 million downloads, Californians can receive alerts up to 30 seconds before shaking occurs during an earthquake of magnitude 4.5 or higher.
The MyShake App is free and user-friendly, supporting six languages: English, Spanish, Chinese (Traditional), Tagalog, Korean, and Vietnamese. It is compatible with iOS, Android, and Chromebooks, making it easily accessible to a wide range of users. Beyond its alerting capabilities, the app offers unique preparation resources for earthquakes and tsunamis and includes a secure Homebase feature that allows users to designate a default location for receiving alerts, even if their location services are offline.
As the likelihood of a potent earthquake occurring in California remains high—with a greater than 99 percent chance of experiencing a magnitude 6.7 or above within the next 30 years—the state’s proactive measures are critical. Recently, the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) initiated a statewide tour showcasing an earthquake simulator to educate residents on preparedness strategies and promote the MyShake App. The tour included visits to notable sites such as UC Davis, Cal State Fullerton, and the San Francisco Zoo, concluding at the San Diego Waterfront Park.
Residents have multiple pathways to receive earthquake alerts from California’s Early Warning System:
1. The MyShake App, which provides both audio and visual notifications for iPhone users in English and Spanish;
2. Most smartphones with updated operating systems that are automatically enrolled in the early warning system, leveraging the same technology as the MyShake App;
3. Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAs), which are free text notifications dispatched through a nationwide system to relay important emergency information to Californians.
Understanding the science behind these alerts is essential. During an earthquake, a rupturing fault releases two types of waves. The P-wave, which is faster, arrives first, while the more damaging S-waves and surface waves follow. The sensors throughout California detect these P-waves and relay information immediately to an alert center, which assesses the location and intensity of the quake using the incoming data.
For those looking to take preemptive steps, more information on earthquake readiness, including actionable safety tips for before, during, and after an earthquake, can be found in the Earthquake Readiness Guide. Interested individuals can access further details about earthquake preparedness and download the MyShake application at earthquake.ca.gov.
This proactive initiative not only enhances public safety but also fosters resilience among Californians in the face of potential seismic threats, ensuring that they are equipped and informed to react promptly when the ground shakes.