On my continuing quest to get everyone prepared for the “BIG ONE,” or a smaller one capable of causing significant damage. I want everyone to be able to protect themselves in the event of an earthquake, Drop, cover and hold on or for those in wheelchairs “lock, cover and hold on.” In some cases the ground is already shaking and you may be knocked down, causing injuries or incapacitation, preventing you from covering and holding on, you were already dropped.  If you protect yourself you can then assist others who are in need.

There is nothing out there to predict earthquakes.  You cannot tell when or where they will strike.  The only thing you can be sure of is they will strike, usually at a time when you are the least prepared.

You ask yourself, “Why don’t they have something that does not predict an earthquake, but at least gives an early warning so I can, “Drop, Cover and Hold on.”  Well, funny you should ask, and even if you didn’t there is such a tool.  The app for your phone is called, “My Shake,” It is available for FREE in the Apple App Store and Google Play.

This app not only tells you, “Earthquake, Drop Cover Hold on, shaking expected,” but it also collects data so you can log what you felt during the event and your phone’s internal sensors send data back to the earthquake lab.  Your data along with sensor data from your phone will improve the app so one day we may have collected enough information to actually have an earthquake prediction device.

Watch and hear how the app works, watch the video in the links below

https://www.rms.com/blog/2019/10/21/myshake-new-app-unveiled-for-california-earthquake-early-warning?gclid=CjwKCAjw1ej5BRBhEiwAfHyh1H1pJ2ryWAYcyPzpSjgJpbWesFoTBm7sKq_Kmz2gY4_OP1H64xz0eRoCfCkQAvD_BwE

Share video these links with family and friends

https://youtu.be/y1p0pFFbH8M

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWl3m4OyU44

How does the app work?

The app alerts you and your family that shaking is coming.

The app will send out alerts when the shaking is damaging after a magnitude 4.5 earthquake. The Alert will be sent out to anyone will experience intensity 3 (light) shaking.

Exactly how does this work?

Collect – when your phone is stationary, the app is ready to collect data from its motion sensors.

Detect – the app uses machine learning to decide which motion is produced by earthquakes and which isn’t

Record – when the app detects an earthquake, its network of phones records (and securely stores) the shaking to collect valuable data.

Just a reminder… The app uses you phones general location to determine which phones receive alerts, so it is important to enable location services

The phone also allows people to crowd source valuable information about how much shaking people felt and damage they see around them following an earthquake.

How much advance notice will I get?

That will depend how far you are from the origin of the earthquake. For example during the Loma Prieta Earthquake those attending the World Series Game at Candlestick Park would have received approximately 20 seconds of advance notice and Marina District would have received approximately 22 seconds of advance notice.

Will the application make my cell phone’s battery drain faster?

As is the case, with any application running in the background of your phone, battery life will be affected. The Android version does has a special “battery saver” mode that can be enabled.