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60-Second Warning: Earthquake Early Detection Bill Signed by Governor

By City News Service
September 25, 2013
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Photo: littlemaiba/Flickr/Creative Commons License

Gov. Jerry Brown today signed a bill by a Southland lawmaker for the development of a statewide earthquake warning system.

Senate Bill 135 calls for the state to move forward on a system that would process data from an array of sensors across California, analyze the forces and the progression of a temblor, and alert the public up to 60 seconds before the shaking starts.

"I applaud Gov. Brown for his vision and leadership," Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Pacoima, said.

"We live in earthquake country," he said. "He understands that when it comes to earthquakes in California, it is not a matter of if, but when. With Gov. Brown's signature, the process of developing a statewide earthquake early warning system has begun."

California has a demonstration model called the California Integrated Seismic Network. SB 135 would provide for developing that system, which was a success in providing a 30-second warning in March before a magnitude 4.7 quake in Riverside County, Padilla said.

"It could allow time to stop a train and power down other critical infrastructure," he said. "The bottom line is that it will save lives."

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