March 11th 2011 I was half asleep when I heard my mobile phone indicate an incoming text message had come in. I took at quick look at the text message and saw that it was from the USGS. The message indicated a M9 earthquake occurred off the coast of Japan. I knew this was trouble but went back to sleep since I live in the middle of the USA. As soon as I woke up I checked the news and learned of the deadly tsunami that followed. I also watched the unbelievable images and videos unfold on the TV and Internet that we all now have engrained in our minds.
USGS has a wonderful alert system
The USGS has a wonderful system that can send texts and emails reporting earthquake activity almost as soon as it happens. The system is completely configurable. One configuration that I use is the option to send an email at night only if a specific magnitude is reached worldwide, my setting is 7.5. During the day the setting is 6 for the world. I also setup specific regions in the United States, 6.0+ on the West Coast, 4+ in the Yellowstone area and 3+ on the east coast. If you are an earthquake buff or someone that has a real concern, especially if you could possibly be threatened by a tsunami (which includes many people) go here and set yourself up:
https://sslearthquake.usgs.gov/ens/
Note that this systems is not infallible but large errors are very, very rare.
Recently I received the following email and similar text:
| Magnitude | 22.0 |
| Date-Time |
|
| Location | 47.851N 114.284W |
| Distances |
|
Of course, the "Magnitude 22.0" was a typo, and soon after I got an update reporting a magnitude 2.2. Since the energy going up from 2 to 3 to 4, increases by a factor of 10, an M22 would have shaken the earth to smithereens.
Frequently you will receive notices of minor adjustments. Rather than waiting on more stations to report to refine the magnitude, the USGS rightly sends out a first message as soon as they have data. Adjustments, if any, are usually minor, 5.9 to 5.8 for example, or 8.8 to 9.0.
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