The US Geological Survey (USGS) recently issued a false earthquake alert that caught many by surprise. The alert, which aimed to warn about impending seismic activity, was prompted by field activities rather than actual tremors.
Details of the False Alert
Robert de Groot, the ShakeAlert operations team lead, explained that this incident marked the first occurrence of a complete false alert due to external factors. He noted that while there have been previous instances where more people were alerted than necessary, this situation was different because it triggered the system without any earthquake.
The exact cause of the shaking that triggered the alarm remains undetermined. De Groot mentioned that research teams are currently analyzing data from various seismic stations. A field investigation may also be initiated to understand the anomaly better.
Impact of the Alert
This false alert led to significant confusion, including coverage by news outlets like KTVU, which reported on the supposed earthquake. Residents were instructed to “drop, cover, and hold on” in response to the warning.
About the MyShake App
Many Californians rely on the MyShake app, developed by the University of California, Berkeley’s Seismology Lab. This app sends real-time alerts for earthquakes, with around four million downloads to date. Funded by the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES), MyShake notifies users of earthquakes with a magnitude of 4.5 or higher.
- MyShake app serves over 4 million users in California.
- App alerts for earthquakes of magnitude 4.5 or higher.
- System has provided over 170 accurate alerts since 2019.
Berkeley’s seismology team reaffirmed the rarity of this specific incident in a statement on social media. They emphasized the importance of earthquake preparedness, reminding the public that while this false alert posed no actual danger, staying ready is crucial in an earthquake-prone region.
