The state’s earthquake early-warning system notified nearly 100,000 people that a quake was going to strike Tuesday afternoon — and people as far away as San Francisco had as many as 18 seconds to brace themselves before it actually hit, according to the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES).
The quake struck the Calaveras Fault zone at 11:42 a.m., with an epicenter on Mount Hamilton nearly 9 miles east of the Seven Trees neighborhood in San Jose, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Seismologists recorded a 2.9 magnitude aftershock roughly five minutes later. Shortly after 3 p.m., a quake measured as magnitude 3.5 hit in the same area. While the earthquake had not damaged any San Jose city facilities, Mayor Sam Liccardo encouraged residents to take precautions for the future.
“A far more damaging earthquake inevitably awaits, so we should look upon these mild tremors as blessings, to remind us all to create a family emergency plan, and prepare a disaster kit,” Liccardo said in a statement. He urged residents to create emergency plans using the website www.ready.gov.
Cal OES said the office received data indicating that close to 100,000 individuals received advance notifications before shaking started through the state’s earthquake early-warning system. The MyShake app is available in the Google app store.
“Advance notice varied from two seconds for those very near the epicenter to 18 seconds for those in San Francisco,” Cal OES said in a news release.
Two years ago this month, as Industry Insider — California reported, Cal OES announced a campaign to educate residents on Earthquake Warning California, the state’s earthquake warning system. Equipment to inform that system continues to be installed.
“This is an important reminder to be earthquake-prepared,” the office said. “Just last week, Cal OES hosted the Great California ShakeOut Tour with an earthquake simulator in six California cities.” Cal OES also posted a video message with more details.
For more information on how to practice “Drop, Cover, and Hold On,” visit https://earthquake.ca.gov/.
