Evolution of Earthquake Early Warning Systems

Remington Jameson^*
*Correspondence: Remington Jameson, Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, 09042 Cagliari, Italy, Email:

Introduction

Earthquakes are among the most destructive natural disasters, causing significant loss of life and damage to infrastructure. Given their sudden and unpredictable nature, minimizing the impact of earthquakes has become a priority for many earthquake-prone regions. One of the most effective methods developed in recent decades for mitigating the destructive effects of earthquakes is the Earthquake Early Warning (EEW) system. The evolution of these systems has significantly enhanced our ability to detect and respond to seismic events before they cause widespread damage. The roots of earthquake detection trace back to the late 19^th and early 20^th centuries with the invention of the seismograph. Seismographs are instruments designed to detect and record the seismic waves generated by earthquakes. They were critical in developing a basic understanding of how earthquakes work, but they provided no real-time warning of an impending earthquake. Instead, seismographs were only useful after the fact, offering a retrospective analysis of seismic activity [1].

By the mid-20^th century, scientists and engineers began exploring ways to use seismic waves to predict earthquakes more efficiently. The realization that seismic waves travel at different speeds Primary (P) waves moving faster than Secondary (S) waves provided the foundation for early warning systems. While P waves travel faster, they are less destructive, whereas S waves are slower but more damaging. If an earthquake's P waves could be detected in advance, it was theoretically possible to warn people of the impending arrival of the more destructive S waves [2].

Description

In the 1970s and 1980s, countries like Japan and the United States started developing experimental Earthquake Early Warning systems, though their primary purpose was to provide data for research rather than offering practical alerts to the public. During this time, it was recognized that detecting seismic waves quickly and accurately would be essential for issuing timely warnings to communities. Early systems were based on networks of seismometers that could detect the initial seismic waves of an earthquake and trigger alerts to specific regions [3]. Japan, one of the most earthquake-prone countries in the world, made significant strides in this area. In the late 1980s, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) began researching EEW technology. The Japanese system used a dense network of seismometers to detect earthquakes and in the early 1990s; Japan introduced the concept of "earthquake prediction" based on seismic data from these sensors. However, early warning systems were still in their infancy and the technology was not yet advanced enough to provide reliable and timely alerts. The 21^st century saw significant advancements in Earthquake Early Warning technology, spurred by improvements in real-time data processing, communication infrastructure and sensor networks. One of the pivotal developments in this period was the launch of the U.S. Geological Survey’s (USGS) ShakeAlert system, which was developed for use along the West Coast of the United States, an area highly susceptible to major earthquakes [4].

In 2006, the USGS initiated the ShakeAlert project in collaboration with several academic institutions, including the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) and the University of California, Berkeley. By the mid-2010s, the system had started to show its potential by issuing test alerts and performing simulations of earthquake scenarios. The system used a network of seismic stations to detect the initial P waves of an earthquake, calculate the expected arrival times of the S waves and issue warnings to people in the affected areas. In Japan, the Earthquake Early Warning system, called “J-Alert,” was also enhanced during this period. By 2007, Japan had implemented a nationwide EEW system capable of issuing warnings to residents within seconds of detecting seismic activity. The system was capable of sending alerts to cell phones, television, radio and public sirens, helping to mitigate damage by allowing people to take cover and shutting down critical infrastructure, such as trains and factories, before the destructive shaking occurred. As earthquake early warning systems became more robust, there was increasing emphasis on integrating these alerts into society. Governments, emergency services and private companies worked together to develop systems that could respond quickly to real-time seismic data.

In California, ShakeAlert began issuing real-time alerts to residents and businesses in 2019, expanding to a broader range of users, including schools, hospitals and transit authorities. The alerts typically come in three levels: a "warning" when an earthquake is detected, "shaking expected" when a large earthquake is imminent and “shaking” once the earthquake has occurred. Other countries, including Mexico, have developed their own systems. Mexico’s Seismic Alert System (SASMEX) was implemented in 1991 and is one of the most successful early warning systems. SASMEX became operational after the devastating 1985 Mexico City earthquake, which led to an increased focus on early warning capabilities. Today, SASMEX uses a network of 32 seismic stations across the country to issue warnings for Mexico City and surrounding areas.

Another breakthrough came with mobile technology. Earthquake early warning systems began to make use of smartphone apps that could send alerts to users. These apps leverage data from various seismic networks and warn individuals of an earthquake, even if they are not near official warning systems. In California, for example, the MyShake app allows users to receive earthquake alerts directly on their smartphones [5].

Conclusion

The evolution of Earthquake Early Warning systems has come a long way, from basic seismographs to advanced, real-time alerts integrated into everyday life. These systems have saved lives and mitigated the economic and social impacts of earthquakes, particularly in regions such as Japan, Mexico and the United States. As technology continues to advance, the future holds even greater promise, with faster, more accurate and more widespread early warning capabilities. With continued research, international collaboration and technological development, Earthquake Early Warning systems will play a crucial role in saving lives and reducing the devastation caused by one of the most unpredictable and dangerous natural disasters.

Acknowledgment

None.

Conflict of Interest

None.

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