With a so-called “Cascadia event” expected to hit the Pacific Northwest anytime now, earthquake detection and warning systems are more crucial than ever. KLCC’s Brian Bull reports that the University of Oregon has received $400,000 in federal funds to help its efforts.
Inside a campus seismology lab, Leland O’Driscoll runs a simulation on the ShakeAlert program, where an 8.0 magnitude earthquake has hit the Washington coast.
“EARTHQUAKE…LIGHT SHAKING EXPECTED IN 113 SECONDS…” blares the speaker.
“We see on the screen there’s a yellow circle, emanating out of the earthquake epicenter,” explains O’Driscoll. He’s Oregon Seismic Network Manager at the U of O. He says with seconds of advance warning, trains can be halted, emergency generators activated, and people can find shelter.
