No matter where you live or what time of year it is, it’s important to be prepared for any emergency situation. Here in California, there’s always the threat of earthquakes. It’s not fun to think about, but it’s better to be prepared than to wonder “what if?”
On Monday, my wife and I were home working on our laptops. I was at the kitchen table and she was on the couch when, all of a sudden, our phones started going off. A notification popped up: “Emergency Alert. Earthquake Detected! Drop, Cover, Hold On. Protect Yourself. – USGS ShakeAlert.” See screenshot below.
It took me a second to realize what was happening—and then the windows started to violently shake. I dove under the table and yelled to my wife to do the same. A couple of minutes later, once it was clear we were out of danger, I snapped a photo and took a screenshot of the alert.
That early warning came from the MyShake app (available on iOS and Google Play), a tool that’s been around for a few years. Until now, I hadn’t experienced it in action. And those 10 to 20 seconds of advance notice could have made a big difference.
The app was developed by the UC Berkeley Seismology Lab, with support from the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services. The lab plays a leading role in earthquake research, monitoring seismic activity and delivering high-quality geophysical data to help keep the public informed and prepared. It not only works in California but Oregon and Washington State as well.
According to Robert De Groot of the U.S. Geological Survey (via CBS 8 San Diego), traditional earthquake alerts relied on a network of ground-based seismometers that measure how fast the earth is moving. Now, ShakeAlert is getting even smarter. The system has been upgraded to include GPS-based sensors that measure how far the ground moves—up, down, or sideways—from space, offering faster and more accurate alerts.
In addition to MyShake, I’ve also downloaded a couple of other earthquake apps that I keep on my phone. One of them is QuakeFeed, which has a 4.8-star rating and over 90,000 reviews in the iOS App Store. It’s free to download and gives me alerts about major earthquakes happening around the world.
The other app I use is My Earthquake Alerts & Feed, which offers similar functionality but is rated even higher. It’s a free, user-friendly app that provides real-time earthquake updates and push notifications. With a clean, modern interface, it works seamlessly on the latest iPhones and iPads.
How to Prepare for an Earthquake—and What to Do
Almost every time I feel an earthquake, the first thing that pops into my head is: “What should I do?” That’s why it’s so important to regularly review earthquake safety information. It’s kind of like how flight attendants—even when flying as passengers—still watch the safety demonstration. They’ve been trained to know that in an emergency, even if you think you know what to do, your mind can go blank when fear takes over.
Earthquakes can happen anywhere. I’ve personally experienced them in California, Fiji, Hawaii, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Washington, D.C.—and even in my childhood home state of Connecticut.
If you’re unsure or unfamiliar with earthquake safety, here’s how to prepare for an earthquake and what to do.
RELATED: Watch: Elephants at San Diego Safari Park Form Protective Circle Around Calves During Earthquake
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