The ShakeAlert® Earthquake Early Warning System for the West Coast of the United States relies on rapid detection and transmission of ground motions from an on-going earthquake. Current EEW systems use ground motions measured by seismometers installed across Washington, Oregon, and California. These seismic stations are part of the California Integrated Seismic Network (CISN) , a collaborative organization of state and federal government agencies as well as universities that are part of the Advanced National Seismic System (ANSS). The University of Washington hosts the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network (PNSN) , a tier one operational center of the ANSS.
Education and training is an important aspect of the ShakeAlert System. The systemwide ShakeAlert Joint Committee for Communication Education and Outreach (JCCEO) has developed and is implementing a comprehensive plan including a component that addresses key social science questions related to topics including alert and post alert messaging, a ShakeAlert alert tone, and cell phone behavior.
ShakeAlerts will be distributed by all means possible – through email, cell-broadcast, app push notifications, radio, television, and by computer-to-computer messages for automatic control of systems like trains and production facilities. As the System has developed a range of notification options are being rapidly developed and tested.
Key components of the ShakeAlert Earthquake Early Warning System:
- Advanced National Seismic System
- Seismic instrumentation for ShakeAlert
- ShakeAlert System to provide EEW information
- Detection and warning times
- Future sources of ground motion measurements
- Partnering with private companies and other organizations
ShakeAlert implementation projects are managed by JCCEO Technical Engagement Regional Coordinators located in each of the states in the ShakeAlert System.
