Metro Installs Earthquake Detection System At 26 Facilities

LOSA ANGELES, CA —Metro announced Tuesday that it has partnered with Early Warning Labs of Santa Monica to install a new earthquake early warning system at all of its bus and rail divisions.

According to a release, the system has been installed just in time for Thursday's Great ShakeOut earthquake readiness event, and will be tested on that day.

The ShakeAlert system is operated by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and detects earthquakes of magnitude 4.8 or greater. The system alerts agencies within seconds of the initial energy radiating from the epicenter, providing critical moments to prepare and helping to protect people, critical systems, equipment and infrastructure, according to Metro.

"By deploying ShakeAlert at 26 Metro facilities, employees could get an early alert before the shaking arrives, potentially helping them keep fellow employees and transit facilities safe," Metro said in a statement.

Metro officials said they believe the deployment of ShakeAlert is the nation's largest installation of the early warning system at a transit agency.

During this week's Great ShakeOut, Metro will deliver test alerts to all locations with the warning "Earthquake, earthquake, earthquake, shaking expected." At which point, operations staff will be asked to perform earthquake response procedures, securing passengers and property as if it were a real emergency.

Always held on the third Thursday in October, the Great ShakeOut gives people in areas prone to earthquakes a chance to conduct drills and practice how to be safe during an earthquake. Communities, schools and organizations also are encouraged to update emergency plans and supplies, and to secure space in order to prevent damages and injuries.

Metro actually partnered with the USGS in 2007 to be a beta tester of the earthquake warning system, the agency said.

In 2016, Metro's Emergency Management Department worked with Early Warning Labs on a pilot program, where the system was installed at the Metro Rail Operations Center. The pilot went live in 2018.

According to Metro, the next step is to install ShakeAlert in every bus and train on the Metro system.