RENO, Nev. — The Nevada Seismological Laboratory (NSL) at the University of Nevada, Reno, has received funding from Congress to develop a plan to bring ShakeAlert earthquake early warning (EEW) to Nevada, the third most seismically active state. The US Geological Survey (USGS)-led ShakeAlert Earthquake Early Warning System currently serves over 50 million people in Washington, Oregon and California. The NSL is a statewide program responsible for the fire camera network (AlertWildfire), seismic monitoring and advancing earthquake research. NSL-operated seismometers are already contributing to the ShakeAlert System, particularly along the east slope of the Sierra Nevada where earthquakes occur regularly.
“Investment in Nevada’s earthquake safety has to increase as our population and industries continue to expand,” NSL Director Christie Rowe said. “The Nevada Seismological Laboratory currently helps provide real-time seismic data that contributes to alert delivery in California. It’s high time Nevadans got earthquake early warnings too.”
ShakeAlert EEW relies on a dense array of seismometers around faults where earthquakes occur. Alert delivery is possible because seismic waves travel much more slowly than electrical and cell signals. After an earthquake begins, it is detected within a few seconds by nearby seismometers. Alerts are delivered to people via cell phones, possibly giving them time to take a protective action such as Drop, Cover, and Hold On before strong shaking arrives. It can also trigger automated systems which protect critical infrastructure that could be damaged in a large earthquake, such as opening firehouse doors so they don’t jam shut and closing water valves to prevent flooding in case of broken pipes.
“Every moment Nevadans get to react when an earthquake is imminent can make a difference,” Nevada Office of Emergency Management Administrator Brett Compston said. “This is an important step in bringing the most advanced notification technology to Nevada.”
A cooperative agreement with the USGS will provide $300,000 to the NSL to identify the suspected earthquake source faults, propose specific regions where more seismic stations are needed, and conduct interviews across the state to identify public safety applications for ShakeAlert data Messages. This information will go into the USGS’s Technical Implementation Plan describing specific needs and budget for bringing Nevada into ShakeAlert.
Rowe said she’s excited to see progress on a project she has worked on since joining the Nevada Seismological Laboratory.
“We’re really grateful to the entire Nevada delegation for helping us achieve this critical step,” Rowe said. “We were proud to show our operations to Congressman Amodei during his visit to the Seismo Lab last summer. “
After finalizing the technical implementation plan, the USGS and NSL will ask Congress for the budget for building out the seismic monitoring stations throughout the state. The earthquake activity in western Nevada is well monitored, but at present the northern and eastern part of the state have very few seismic stations. The NSL is pushing for resources to improve monitoring in more areas of Nevada, where many rural communities, mining and geothermal operations could benefit from the system to improve safety.
“The ShakeAlert System is stable and mature in the three West Coast states, and Nevada is already contributing through a productive partnership with the USGS,” Rowe said. “Building out ShakeAlert in Nevada pursues the original program goal of expansion across high-risk areas of the western states.”
“Protecting lives is at the core of the USGS mission,” USGS ShakeAlert Operations Lead for Technical Engagement Robert de Groot said. “It is exciting to partner with the Nevada Seismological Laboratory and its partners to develop a plan that broadens and expands the use of ShakeAlert earthquake early warning by people and institutions as a tool of risk reduction so all can live safely and thrive in earthquake country.”
