Yesterday, Wednesday, the long-awaited ShakeAlert Earthquake Early Warning System was officially rolled out and is open for business. Leaders in earthquake research, including Dr. Lucy Jones (pictured above), came together with U.S. Representatives Adam Schiff and Judy Chu to announce the debut of the system at Caltech. Check CVWeekly for full coverage of this event in next week’s paper.

Yesterday’s event was also an opportunity to remind the public about today’s Great ShakeOut statewide earthquake drill. Millions of Californians will take an important step toward earthquake safety today, Thursday, Oct. 18, at 10:18 a.m. during the 10th Annual Great California ShakeOut drill by practicing how to “drop, cover, and hold on” when the ground shakes. Most Californians live within 30 miles of an active fault. Scientists say there is a 99% chance of a magnitude 6.7 or greater earthquake striking the state within the next 30 years.
For more info on how to participate or how to become earthquake rea
dy, visit ShakeOut.org/California.