Governor Newsom and the Legislature have made significant investments to fund disaster planning and preparedness – including earthquake early warning alerts. The enacted budget in 2019 included $16.3 million in a one-time General Fund allocation to finish the build-out of the system, including finishing seismic station installation, adding GPS stations to the network, improving telemetry and launching an education campaign. In 2020, the Governor’s budget included an additional allocation of $17.3 million, supported by a one-time loan of the same amount from the School Land Bank Fund, for full operation and maintenance of the system. 

The California EEW System now delivers EEW alerts statewide to the public through three cell-phone-based pathways:  the Cal OES-sponsored MyShake app, Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA), and to Android-enabled devices. The network of seismic stations that powers EEW alerts in California is nearing completion—all 1,115 stations are either built or funded—so the California EEW Program is now placing greater focus on maintaining the system and seeking adoption of the EEW technology by state and local agencies, businesses, and owners of critical infrastructure throughout the state. Additionally, Cal OES is supporting research to develop additional alerting pathways, including the use of television and radio broadcast signals, to provide widespread and redundant alerting coverage for a variety of public and private-sector use cases. While continuous improvements are ongoing, the system now has a proven track record of providing critical, lifesaving services to the public.

Earthquake-prone countries like Mexico and Japan have long had earthquake early warning systems, with alerts typically delivered through cellphones or public address systems. However, California is the first state in the United States to offer a statewide earthquake early warning system.

In October 2019, on the 30th anniversary of the deadly Loma Prieta earthquake, Governor Newsom announced the launch of the nation’s first statewide Earthquake Early Warning System, which married the new smartphone application dubbed “MyShake” with traditional alert and warning delivery methods such as Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA). In August 2020, Cal OES unveiled the new name for the program — Earthquake Warning California.

The MyShake App is an earthquake early warning tool developed by UC Berkeley, in partnership with USGS ShakeAlert and Cal OES. The app is available for mobile devices at no cost through the Google Play store and Apple App store. The MyShake App sends a warning to smartphone users that have installed the app in the vicinity of an earthquake as soon as ground sensors detect significant shaking. MyShake App users must enable location services on their mobile devices to receive earthquake warnings. That way, no matter where you happen to be, you can receive an early warning alert. Alerts will only go to your device if either your phone location or your chosen HomeBase is in the affected area.

Visual and Audio

Audio messages for test and live alerts in six different languages have been updated to include a calm, yet urgent voice. In coordination with Cal OES, the alerts are available in six languages: English, Spanish, Chinese Traditional, Tagalog, Korean, and Vietnamese.

Magnitude Information

In response to user feedback, the application now displays information for seismic activity starting at magnitude 2.5. The earthquake early warning alerts will remain only for activity of magnitude 4.5 or higher.

Location Improvements

The search functionality now offers the ability to pinpoint the location of seismic activity and identify neighborhoods, places, addresses, and zip codes.

Orientation

The new update will allow landscape orientation on compatible devices, thereby making it more user-friendly on tablet devices.

User-Informed Background Improvements

It is now easier for users to submit functionality issues and debug information, thereby enabling the team at UC Berkeley Seismology Lab to troubleshoot and address any problems.

Cal OES reminds Californian’s that live in or travel to areas that could be impacted by an earthquake that preparation is vital, as these events can strike suddenly, at any time, with little warning. Downloading the MyShake app can provide vital seconds to “Drop, Cover and Hold On” in advance of an earthquake.

The MyShake App uses existing smartphone technology to both detect earthquakes and issue alerts. Additionally, MyShake collects data using the onboard accelerometers on all phones for research to improve the system in the future. The MyShake App aims to form a partnership between the seismology research community and the general public with the goal to mitigate the impacts of earthquakes. The MyShake App achieves this goal by turning smartphones into sensors to collect earthquake data and deliver that earthquake data to users as a warning (no personal data is collected in this process).

There are over 900 sensors positioned across the state that can detect earthquakes primary waves of earthquakes and more are on the way. When an earthquake triggers sensors, that data is then sent to processing centers to locate the earthquake, determine the magnitude, and the estimated shaking. This data (called a ShakeAlert® Message) is sent to MyShake, Google, and WEA who deliver alerts to the public. MyShake users who receive an earthquake warning can share input with MyShake that they did or did not feel the earthquake. MyShake scientists can use this data to better understand earthquakes and develop and improve earthquake early warning technologies.

Yes. Currently this is a feature on the Android version where users can set up to three locations with control over the mile coverage and earthquake magnitude. We’re hoping for iPhones to have this feature in the future.  Alternatively, you also have the option to set a default HomeBase. That way no matter where you happen to be, even if your location services are turned off, you can receive an early warning alert at your HomeBase.

Keep in mind that alerts will only go to your device if either your phone location or your chosen HomeBase is in the affected area. MyShake will not be able to alert you when location services are turned off if your current location is outside of your HomeBase area and an alert is headed to your current location.

When an alert is received depends on the distance an individual or business is from the epicenter of the earthquake. The closer the user, the shorter the warning time; the further they are, the longer the warning time they will generally receive. FEMA’s Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) system operates nationwide and delivers text-like messages that are shared with WEA-capable mobile devices during emergency situations. The WEA system delivers a variety of alerts for America’s Missing Amber, national emergencies, wildfires, earthquakes, and imminent threats. For earthquakes, Californians may receive ShakeAlert® powered alerts from MyShake, Google, and WEA. However, WEAs will only be sent to individuals who could feel light shaking or greater for earthquakes magnitude 5.0 or greater.

A few seconds of warning can provide life-saving opportunities. With a large earthquake, serious shaking can knock individuals to the ground or result in building damage and injuries.

Public Warning – Gives Californians the opportunity to take protective actions such as “Drop, Cover, and Hold On” and to turn off utilities such as water, electricity, and gas.

First Responder Mobilization – Opens fire station doors for rapid deployment of emergency response equipment and personnel.

Health Care – Notifies medical providers to stabilize and/or stop delicate procedures and maintain critical medical facility operations.

Utility Infrastructure – Safeguards energy sector grid and other utilities infrastructure for strong shaking with warning alarms and automatic controls to prevent combustions, flooding, and loss of water distribution systems.

Mass Transit – Prevents fatal collisions or derailments by automatically slowing and/or stopping trains, clearing bridges, and diverting inbound airport traffic.

Workplace Safety – Allows employees to take protective actions, initiate elevator recall procedures to ground floor, place sensitive equipment in safe mode, secure hazardous materials, and halt production lines to reduce damage. 

Emergency/ First Responders – Fire stations and paramedics can prepare vehicles and quickly respond to incoming emergencies.

Businesses & Employee Safety — Employees can implement earthquake response plans, prepare for evacuation, and secure important documents.

The MyShake App is now available in English, Spanish, Chinese (traditional), Vietnamese, Korean and Filipino.

Users may experience false or missed alerts. This can occur when the location or magnitude of an actual earthquake is an error, or when the system records a false ground shaking. Earthquake early warning is a new technology and is constantly being improved. As more Californians download the MyShake App, and report false alerts, the system can be updated and improve future alerts. 

We always welcome third-party partners to assist in sharing the message and information on Cal OES’ earthquake warning alert system. We encourage interested individuals, organizations, and businesses to sign up for our monthly toolkit at earthquake.ca.gov.

Additionally, if interested in becoming an LtO (License to Operate) partner, visit shakealert.org.

There are a few ways for individuals or organizations to prepare for  an emergency such as earthquake:

• Download the MyShake App and enable location services to receive earthquake warnings. The app is available for download on Google Play for Android and the Apple Store for iPhone.
• Have a plan in place in advance so you can act quickly if you receive a MyShake, Android or WEA earthquake warning. Make a plan to DROP, COVER, and HOLD ON in places where you live, work, and play.
• Visit ca.gov for information and other resources to help prepare for earthquakes in California.
• Follow Cal OES on social media:
  • Facebook https://www.facebook.com/CaliforniaOES
  • Twitter @Cal_OES
  • YouTube https://www.youtube.com/user/CalEMATV
  • Instagram @cal_oes

Earthquake Warning California is the state of California’s earthquake early warning program, which includes staff, earthquake warning tools, as well as education and outreach resources. This program is operated by Cal OES. Earthquake Warning California operates in collaboration with the California Integrated Seismic Network Partners from the: United States Geological Survey (USGS), University of California – Berkeley (UCB), California Institute of Technology (Caltech), and California Geological Survey (CGS). Ground motion sensors and sensors in smartphones are used to detect an earthquake before humans can feel it, these sensors send data to an earthquake alert center, where a ShakeAlert® message is generated and distributed to mobile devices via the MyShake App, Android Earthquake Alerts, and Government Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA).  

ShakeAlert® is an earthquake early warning (EEW) system operated by the USGS. This system distributes ShakeAlert® messages to Earthquake Warning California tools such as the MyShake App, Android Earthquake Alerts, and WEA.

The California Earthquake Early Warning (EEW) system is operated by Cal OES in collaboration with the California Integrated Seismic Network partners from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), University of California – Berkeley (UCB), California Institute of Technology (Caltech) and California Geological Survey (CGS). Ground motion sensors and sensors in smartphones are used to detect an earthquake before humans can feel it, and these sensors send data to an earthquake alert center where a ShakeAlert® message is generated and distributed to mobile devices via the MyShake App, Android Earthquake Alerts and Government Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA). The EEW system is powered by ShakeAlert®, an earthquake early warning system operated by USGS on the West Coast.

Cal OES partnered with the U.S. Geological Survey and Google to announce that earthquake alerting technology will automatically be included in millions of Android phones used in California, without the need to download a separate app. Like MyShake, the Google technology is designed to provide valuable seconds of warning before shaking occurs from a nearby earthquake.

Earthquake-prone countries such as Mexico and Japan have long had earthquake early warning systems, with alerts typically delivered through cellphones or public address systems. China recently completed work on its earthquake early warning system as well. However, California is the first state in the United States to offer a statewide earthquake early warning system. Oregon and Washington have since added statewide earthquake early warning systems.

During an earthquake, a rupturing fault sends out different types of seismic waves. The fast-moving primary waves (P-waves) are the first to arrive, but the damage is generally caused by the slower secondary waves (S-waves) and surface waves. Sensors detect the P-wave and immediately transmit data to an earthquake alert center where the location and size of the earthquake are determined and updated as more data becomes available. A ShakeAlert® Message from the earthquake alert center is quickly made available to distribution partners including MyShake, Google and WEA who deliver alerts to the public.

Warnings can provide valuable life-saving seconds of notification to take protective action. At a minimum, these rapid response warnings will allow users to Drop, Cover and Hold On before shaking occurs.

There are several reasons why individuals in the area of an earthquake might not receive an alert from the MyShake App. The MyShake App will only send out an alerting signal if an earthquake is measured at magnitude 4.5 or higher. If the user has their location services turned off or their homebase is set for another region they may not receive an alert.

In addition to downloading the MyShake App, there are many ways to be earthquake prepared. Creating an emergency plan for you and your family – including an emergency kit with items like water and non-perishable foods – is essential. For additional tips, check out these Seven Steps to Earthquake Safety.

The MyShake App is a powerful tool for Californians, but we need to take things even further and focus our efforts on automated protective actions. We should get the same alerts we get on our phones in our apartment buildings, hospitals, schools and on public transportation. Professional leaders in critical industries such as energy, emergency services and transportation should consider implementing earthquake early warning protocols in their workplace. That’s why Cal OES is supporting research to develop additional alerting pathways, including the use of television and radio broadcast signals, to provide widespread and redundant alerting coverage for a variety of public and private-sector use cases. Cal OES also has plans to implement EEW across critical sectors throughout the state, including transportation, government facilities, education and first responders. Additional future implementation consists of health care buildings, utilities, public venues, financial institutions, telecom, manufacturing and commercial buildings.

Being earthquake prepared is extremely important for large organizations, as they have a lot at stake – people, products, and infrastructure. And while we cannot yet predict when or where an earthquake will strike, there are free resources, such as the MyShake App, that can provide valuable seconds of warning before earthquakes occur, reducing injuries and fatalities during a major earthquake. Every large organization should have an emergency action plan for when earthquakes occur. For more information about what you can do to protect your business, or to request a presentation from Cal OES, please email earthquakeinfo@caloes.ca.gov.

Yes. The Menlo Park Fire District incorporated EEW technology so that in the event of an earthquake the station’s apparatus doors open up so fire trucks can get out faster and start helping people. When BART receives a signal that an earthquake is imminent, its trains can be slowed from 70 miles per hour to almost a complete stop in 30 seconds. The Cal OES team continues to work with critical industry sectors to find new opportunities for partnerships that can make Californians even safer during earthquakes.