California governor OKs plan for earthquake early warnings

Gov. Jerry Brown has signed legislation to develop a statewide earthquake early warning system in California, after devoting $10 million to the program in the state budget he signed this year.

Brown announced Thursday that he signed SB438 by Sen. Jerry Hill, a Democrat from San Mateo.

The legislation sets up the early warning program, called “ShakeAlert.” California emergency management officials say automated earthquake warnings could begin within the next one to two years.

Seismic early warning systems are designed to detect the first shock waves from a large jolt, calculate the strength and alert people before the slower but damaging waves spread. Mexico, China and Japan are among the countries already using them.

Ultimately, scientists plan to develop apps for mobile phones and computers that would give the public the early alerts through their cell phones, radios and other devices.

California officials will submit a plan to the state Legislature by February 2018.

Early warnings can allow train operators to slam on the breaks, surgeons to pull their sharp tools out of a patient’s body and school children to duck and cover.

Automated systems can open fire station doors and shut down gas lines