This past week, a large earthquake hit near Acapulco, Mexico which made its presence felt in Mexico City. Over a year ago, the devastating earthquakes and tsunamis battered Japan, causing damage that is still being felt financially and otherwise. Here at home in California, both scientists and lay men often talk of “The Big One,” an expected catastrophic earthquake which, in theory, will originate on the San Andreas fault.
Even though earthquake culture makes up a large part of California’s identity, the state still lacks an effective early warning system which the likes of Mexico, Japan, Taiwan and other countries have in place. One reason such a comprehensive system doesn’t exist is purely financial. For instance, Japan spent $1 billion building theirs, while California researchers have typically spent only $400,000 a year on technology development. Experts predict an additional $150 million is needed to build the system here, with an additional $5 million a year for operating costs.
Further compounding the lack of preparedness is the fact that, unlike Mexico and Japan, California hasn’t experienced a truly catastrophic earthquake in over a century. Scientists are bullish on California finally getting a system in place, but the real issue is whether it will be here before or after such a quake occurs. The system would use a series of underground sensors, as well as communications technology, to detect quakes, determine their strength and impact, and then disseminate said information to social media sites, TV and radio, fire stations, power plants and public transportation operators. While earthquakes happen fairly quickly, electronic signals can outrun the tremors of the Earth, giving responders crucial seconds of time to get a jump on the situation.
But just how much difference can a few seconds make? What else does California need to get this project off the ground? How will it be similar to or different from those in place in Mexico and Japan? How will scientists point out that the benefits outweigh the costs?
Guest:
Tom Heaton, Professor of Seismology & Engineering, Caltech
Doug Given, Earthquake Early Warning Coordinator, U.S. Geological Survey; Geophysicist