Shake Alert uses new technology to make earthquake warnings more accurate

SACRAMENTO — A new technology is being unveiled that could help give people more time to move to safety when a strong earthquake strikes.

My Shake can send a vibration alert before strong shaking starts, and now the data behind those warnings is more accurate.

When an earthquake hits California, the app is designed to instantly send a warning to give people up to several seconds to take cover before powerful seismic waves hit.

The vibrating alert system has been active since 2019, said Robert De Groot of the US Geological Survey.

“We know this tool is effective and has a lot of potential for everyone in California,” he said.

The vibration alert system previously relied on a network of ground-based seismometers, but now it also uses GPS sensors. These devices can measure the strength of an earthquake from space satellites.

“Instead of measuring how fast the Earth is moving, [which] “That's what seismometers do,” De Groot said. “We're now measuring how far it moves up, down and sideways. What that translates to, potentially, is sending alerts to people faster.”

De Groot said the new data could more accurately determine the magnitude of larger earthquakes such as the Loma Prieta quake that struck San Francisco in 1989.

“We need this additional information to give us a more accurate and perhaps quicker characterization of how strong the earthquake is,” he said.

Early warning also buys time to automatically stop trains, open doors at fire stations, and close pipelines, actions that can help save lives.

“The further away you get, the more warning time you'll get,” De Groot said. “Even a few seconds matter.”

Shake Alert also covers Oregon and Washington.

More CBS News

What Are The Main Benefits Of Comparing Car Insurance Quotes Online

LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESSWIRE / June 24, 2020, / Compare-autoinsurance.Org has launched a new blog post that presents the main benefits of comparing multiple car insurance quotes. For more info and free online quotes, please visit https://compare-autoinsurance.Org/the-advantages-of-comparing-prices-with-car-insurance-quotes-online/ The modern society has numerous technological advantages. One important advantage is the speed at which information is sent and received. With the help of the internet, the shopping habits of many persons have drastically changed. The car insurance industry hasn't remained untouched by these changes. On the internet, drivers can compare insurance prices and find out which sellers have the best offers. View photos The advantages of comparing online car insurance quotes are the following: Online quotes can be obtained from anywhere and at any time. Unlike physical insurance agencies, websites don't have a specific schedule and they are available at any time. Drivers that have busy working schedules, can compare quotes from anywhere and at any time, even at midnight. Multiple choices. Almost all insurance providers, no matter if they are well-known brands or just local insurers, have an online presence. Online quotes will allow policyholders the chance to discover multiple insurance companies and check their prices. Drivers are no longer required to get quotes from just a few known insurance companies. Also, local and regional insurers can provide lower insurance rates for the same services. Accurate insurance estimates. Online quotes can only be accurate if the customers provide accurate and real info about their car models and driving history. Lying about past driving incidents can make the price estimates to be lower, but when dealing with an insurance company lying to them is useless. Usually, insurance companies will do research about a potential customer before granting him coverage. Online quotes can be sorted easily. Although drivers are recommended to not choose a policy just based on its price, drivers can easily sort quotes by insurance price. Using brokerage websites will allow drivers to get quotes from multiple insurers, thus making the comparison faster and easier. For additional info, money-saving tips, and free car insurance quotes, visit https://compare-autoinsurance.Org/ Compare-autoinsurance.Org is an online provider of life, home, health, and auto insurance quotes. This website is unique because it does not simply stick to one kind of insurance provider, but brings the clients the best deals from many different online insurance carriers. In this way, clients have access to offers from multiple carriers all in one place: this website. On this site, customers have access to quotes for insurance plans from various agencies, such as local or nationwide agencies, brand names insurance companies, etc. "Online quotes can easily help drivers obtain better car insurance deals. All they have to do is to complete an online form with accurate and real info, then compare prices", said Russell Rabichev, Marketing Director of Internet Marketing Company. CONTACT: Company Name: Internet Marketing CompanyPerson for contact Name: Gurgu CPhone Number: (818) 359-3898Email: [email protected]: https://compare-autoinsurance.Org/ SOURCE: Compare-autoinsurance.Org View source version on accesswire.Com:https://www.Accesswire.Com/595055/What-Are-The-Main-Benefits-Of-Comparing-Car-Insurance-Quotes-Online View photos