What can you do in 10 seconds?
April 20th, 2007
An effort to create an early warning earthquake system for the Bay Area is highlighted in today’s San Jose Mercury News. The warning system would be activated when a series of monitoring systems detected the faster moving P-waves from a quake. The computer could estimate the expected magnitude of the quake and send out a warning. For example, in the 1989 Loma Prieta quake, those living in Redwood City would have received 10 seconds’ warning while those in San Francisco 20 seconds’ warning. The system is expensive and scientists across California are debating its value.
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