Those of us who experienced the 2001 Nisqually earthquake may think we are ready for the next time the Earth decides to shake. But seismologists predict the next one will make the Nisqually quake look like a kiddie ride.
With up to a 25-percent chance of happening in the next 50 years, the next quake is expected to be longer and stronger. We felt about 45 seconds of shaking in 2001 and the bigger quake would shake us for up to four minutes, causing more injuries, deaths, and property destruction.
In addition, scientists predict a large tsunami would wash ashore and could cause flooding within the Puget Sound, along river channels, as well as along the coast. You cannot outrun a tsunami, which moves at 35 miles per hour, and it’s not like a typical ocean wave. It’s like a wall of concrete filled with dangerous debris.
That’s why emergency managers have implemented the ShakeAlert Earthquake Early Warning System.
The system detects earthquakes at their epicenters just as they begin and then calculates the area of impact and issues a warning to your mobile device. The system went live on May 4 and was tested for months prior to that. In the densely-populated Seattle area, users would receive alerts within about 10 seconds of the beginning of the quake before the slower-moving, but more damaging, “S waves” arrive.
Ten seconds may not sound like a lot of warning, but it is enough to understand what is happening and to take action: drop, cover, and hold. The alert also enables managers of the water supply and other critical infrastructure enough time to trigger automated responses within their systems.
The alert system includes 239 seismic stations around Washington with 100 more coming, located mostly in high-population areas.
California has been using ShakeAlert since 2019 and it was put into real use during a strong 2020 quake centered in Los Angeles. The alert was received by 2.2 million users in an average of 4.7 seconds.
Once you get the alert, do not run! Most injuries happen this way. Drop, cover, and hold!
Take These Actions Today
- Enable ShakeAlert on your mobile device.
- Prepare your home.
- Secure objects that might fall,
- Make sure you have a pair of hard-soled shoes next to your bed when you are sleeping,
- Build an emergency kit,
- Be able to turn off the natural gas line that leads to your home, if needed.
- Establish an out-of-state contact to channel information about your wellbeing to family and friends.
- Practice: have everyone in your home practice how to drop, cover, and hold!