California’s pioneering Earthquake Early Warning System alerted millions of residents in Los Angeles, Orange, and Ventura counties this morning about a 4.7 magnitude earthquake that struck near Malibu. The earthquake occurred at 7:28 a.m., located approximately 4.4 miles north of Malibu in the Santa Monica Mountains, and was felt across a wide area of the greater Los Angeles region.
The Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES), which manages the state’s warning system, is working closely with local officials to assess any issues or needs in the affected areas. Residents are advised to stay away from steep slopes to reduce the risk of falling debris during potential aftershocks.
The state’s MyShake app sent out 425,217 alerts to affected smartphones, with millions more receiving notifications through a partnership with Google, which has integrated the alert system into its Android devices. Following the earthquake, the MyShake App experienced over 20,000 downloads within three hours.
In addition to notifying individuals through mobile devices, California’s warning technology automates safety measures, such as opening firehouse doors, recalling elevators, shutting off water and gas valves, closing gates on bridges, and alerting personnel in schools and medical facilities.
Governor Gavin Newsom emphasized the importance of preparedness, stating that the Earthquake Early Warning system offered crucial seconds for individuals to drop, cover, and hold on as shaking began. He encouraged all Californians to download the MyShake app and enable emergency alerts on their phones to receive timely notifications for potentially damaging earthquakes.
The California Earthquake Early Warning System, established by Governor Newsom in 2019, is powered by ShakeAlert, a system operated by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) that analyzes seismic data to provide early warnings. The technology enhances public safety by utilizing ground motion sensors set up throughout the state, with a 50% increase in sensors since the program’s inception, improving accuracy and alert speed.
There are three ways for individuals to receive earthquake warnings through the Earthquake Warning California system:
1. MyShake App: A free app that provides audio and visual warnings in both English and Spanish for iPhone users.
2. Smartphones: Most updated smartphones are automatically subscribed to earthquake early warning using the same technology as the MyShake app.
3. Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAs): Free text messages are sent through a nationwide system for emergency situations, relaying critical information for California residents.
For more information on earthquake preparedness and to download the early warning application, visit: www.earthquake.ca.gov.