New technology that can give people crucial seconds' warning of an impeding earthquake will go live in Washington on May 4, the USGS announced Monday.
The implementation of the ShakeAlert system here will mean the entire West Coast will be covered by the emerging technology.
"An Earthquake Early Warning system could provide the critical time needed for Washingtonians to drop, cover and hold on," said Gov. Jay Inslee. "It has the potential to save lives and reduce damage to critical infrastructure.”
Using seismic sensors scattered across the West Coast, the system can detect the initial waves generated by an earthquake and quickly calculate an estimated location, strength, and time of arrival of the main shaking event. It will then send an automated alert to cell phones and other emergency broadcast outlets to give residents a few to perhaps several seconds of lead time to drop down, seek cover and hold on for when the shaking arrives.