Following the recent earthquake, the MyShake App experienced a surge of over 20,000 new downloads within just three hours.
In addition to emergency alerts distributed via MyShake and smartphones, California is leveraging this technology to automate various safety measures such as opening firehouse doors, recalling elevators, shutting off water and gas valves, closing gates on bridges, and alerting staff in educational and healthcare settings.
“All Californians should download the MyShake app on their mobile devices to enhance their preparedness for earthquakes,” remarked Cal OES Director Nancy Ward. “These alerts enable people to take crucial steps to safeguard their lives before shaking occurs.”
In 2019, on the 30th anniversary of the devastating Loma Prieta earthquake, Governor Newsom introduced the nation’s first statewide Earthquake Early Warning System.
Building on this initiative, Governor Newsom announced a collaboration with Google in 2020 to integrate California’s earthquake early warning technology into all Android smartphones.
The warnings issued through the California Earthquake Early Warning System are powered by ShakeAlert, a specialized program administered by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) in conjunction with Cal OES. This system analyzes data from California’s seismic networks, determines preliminary magnitudes, and estimates which regions are likely to experience shaking. Key partners in the seismic networks include the California Geological Survey, the University of California, Berkeley Seismological Laboratory, and the California Institute of Technology Seismological Laboratory.
The California Earthquake Early Warning System combines a smartphone application with traditional alert methods, such as Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA). With the recent integration of early warning technology into widely used smartphones across California, the system can effectively reach a large number of residents. The system employs ground motion sensors throughout the state to detect earthquakes prior to them being felt. Under state leadership, the number of installed sensors has increased by 50% since the program’s inception, enhancing accuracy and enabling faster alert delivery.
To receive earthquake warnings, individuals and families can utilize three methods through the Earthquake Warning California system:
1. MyShake App: A free app available for smartphones that offers audio and visual warnings in both English and Spanish.
2. Smartphones: Most smartphones with updated operating systems are automatically enrolled in the earthquake early warning system, which utilizes the same technology as the MyShake App.
3. Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAs): Free text messages that provide crucial emergency information through the national system for California residents.
For more information on earthquake preparedness and to download the earthquake early warning application, visit www.earthquake.ca.gov.