A 4.7 magnitude earthquake struck Malibu, California, early Thursday morning, shaking the Los Angeles area, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
Shortly after, a 2.8 magnitude aftershock occurred in Malibu two minutes later, followed by a 3.4 magnitude tremor recorded 12 minutes after the initial quake.
California’s Earthquake Early Warning System, the first of its kind in the nation, provided advance notifications to millions of residents, as stated by Governor Gavin Newsom’s office. The Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) indicated that millions of citizens received emergency alerts, thanks to a collaboration with Google, which integrated alert software into Android operating systems.
Residents in affected regions received notifications from the MyShake app, which sent out 425,217 alerts. Following the earthquake, there were over 20,000 new app downloads within three hours.
In addition to sending emergency alerts, California is utilizing this technology for automated protective measures such as opening firehouse doors, recalling elevators, shutting off water and gas valves, securing bridge gates, and notifying personnel in schools and medical facilities, according to Cal OES.
Governor Newsom remarked on the necessity to prepare for various disasters despite ongoing wildfires, emphasizing that thanks to the Earthquake Early Warning system, millions in Southern California received timely alerts when the quake occurred.
The California Earthquake Early Warning System combines a smartphone application with traditional alert delivery methods known as Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA). It employs ground motion sensors placed throughout the state to detect earthquakes before they are felt. The program has seen a 50% increase in sensor installations, enhancing accuracy and speed of alerts.
The Los Angeles Fire Department reported no significant damage from the earthquake.