Bill Would Create California Quake Warning System
The California Legislature has approved a bill that would require the development of an earthquake early-warning system similar to what exists in Japan, Mexico and other quake-prone countries.
The bill was sent to Gov. Jerry Brown, who has until Oct. 13 to act on it.
The U.S. in behind other countries in creating a public alert system, which provides seconds of warning after a fault ruptures. For the past several years, the U.S. Geological Survey and several universities have been working on a test alert system that only broadcasts warnings to select users.
Scientists and public safety officials have urged the creation of a system that would use a network of sensors to detect the start of a quake and the strength and provide useful seconds of warning.
While a few seconds may not sound like much time, supporters say it’s enough notice for trains to slow down, utilities to shut off gas lines or people to hide under a table.
Early warning can’t predict earthquakes before they happen, and it is useless at the quake’s origin, since there’s no time to detect passing waves.
Researchers previously estimated it would cost about $80 million to build a statewide alert system.
- Apollo Accused in Lawsuit of Illegal Human Life Wagering Scheme
- Jury Awards $80M to 3 Former Zurich NA Employees for Wrongful Termination
- Warren Buffett’s PacifiCorp Now Faces $30 Billion Fire Claim Demand
- 4,800 Claims Handled by Unlicensed Adjusters in Florida After Irma, Lawsuit Says
- Poll: Consumers OK with AI in P/C Insurance, but Not So Much for Claims and Underwriting
- Report: Vehicle Complexity, Labor ‘Reshaping’ Auto Insurance and Collision Repair
- Millions of Recalled Hyundai and Kia Vehicles, With Dangerous Defect, Remain on Road
- Florida’s Home Insurance Industry May Be Worse Than Anyone Realizes