Robert de Groot, a member of the USGS ShakeAlert operations team, emphasized the significance of integrating satellite data stream into the ShakeAlert System in preparation for potential future major offshore earthquakes in the Pacific Northwest. He compared these potential earthquakes to the 2011 M 9.1 earthquake in Japan.
Municipalities utilize the data not just to send cell phone notifications to residents and visitors, but also to activate a range of automatic responses. These responses include measures like reducing the speed of subways and shutting down valves on utility systems.
The ground under San Francisco International Airport has been identified as the epicenter of the recent earthquake that hit California.
The State of California estimates that every year, thousands of earthquakes take place in the Golden State. However, only a handful of these earthquakes have the potential to cause significant damage due to their high magnitudes.
According to the state’s standards, earthquakes with a magnitude of 5.5 or higher are believed to have the potential to cause moderate damage to both homes and infrastructure.
By 2025, the USGS anticipates that the network will consist of more than 2,000 sensors, providing protection to over 50 million residents and visitors on the West Coast upon the program’s completion.