West Coast's ShakeAlert system gets upgrade to detect major earthquakes faster

The West Coast's ShakeAlert system has received a significant upgrade, allowing it to more rapidly alert the public of the next major earthquake.

The growing network of seismic sensors that make up the system throughout Oregon, Washington and California now also incorporates sensors that directly monitor movements on the surface of the earth, "helping inform the public about potentially damaging shaking headed their way," according to a statement from the U.S. Geological Survey, which administers the ShakeAlert system.

ShakeAlert aims to provide residents with seconds of early warning once an earthquake has been detected by sensors but before strong shaking reaches them. The new upgrade seeks to increase that time, particularly when a large and potentially damaging earthquake occurs.

Major quakes of magnitude 7 or higher are rare but present the biggest threat to human lives and infrastructure, according to Robert de Groot, operations team lead with the U.S. Geological Survey.

"Future major offshore earthquakes in the Pacific Northwest, which could be similar to the 2011 (magnitude-) 9.1 earthquake in Japan, underscore the importance of incorporating satellite data stream into the ShakeAlert System," he said.

According to the USGS, the existing seismic sensors monitor how quickly the ground shakes during an earthquake. The new sensor incorporates data from the real-time Global Navigation Satellite System, including the well-known GPS, to measure how far the ground moves and whether it moves up, down, or sideways.

In addition to giving residents more time to 'Drop, Cover and Hold On" via mobile alerts, ShakeAlert is also capable of automatically triggering actions such as slowing down trains to prevent crashes, closing valves to protect water systems and opening firehouse doors to prevent them from getting stuck closed, officials said.

How many sensors make up the ShakeAlert system?

Launched in 2019, the ShakeAlert system currently consists of more than 1,500 sensor stations, USGS officials said.

By the end of 2025, representatives said they plan to expand the system to more than 2,000 sensors.

USGS partners in operating and upgrading the system include the EarthScope Consortium, numerous universities, and the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network.

This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: West Coast's ShakeAlert system gets upgrade to detect major earthquakes faster