A STAKE IN THE SHAKE: EARLY WARNING

When an earthquake happens, ShakeAlert STEM Classroom seismic waves travel outward in Discussion: all directions. Primary (P) waves travel faster than How would each of the situations secondary (S) waves and below be made more safe if people S waves do the most and automatic systems were alerted damage. But electronic that they were about to experience information can be sent faster than either wave. earthquake shaking? The ShakeAlert Earth- 1. A surgeon performing an operation. ave you ever felt an earthquake? quake Early Warning System can detect HWhat was it like? Where were you? an earthquake very quickly and send an 2. A chemistry teacher and students What did you do? How are people injured alert of imminent ground motion before working in a lab. during an earthquake? More than 143 mil- strong shaking arrives. 3. A warehouse or construction lion people are exposed to potentially worker. damaging shaking in the United States. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) along with universities and state 4. An amusement park with lots of agencies in , , fast rides. MATERIALS: Nevada, and are developing What other places could be made Computer with internet access the ShakeAlert Earthquake Early Warn- ing (EEW) System for the West Coast of safer with earthquake early warning? RESOURCES: the US. Several countries including What can you do to keep yourself ShakeAlert Factsheet (USGS) Japan, Mexico, Taiwan, and China already safe during an earthquake? https://pubs.er.usgs.gov/ use EEW systems. publication/fs20143083 Link to full classroom activity A few seconds of warning does not sound and more: STEM Connections to EEW: How does it work? (Incor- long, but it is enough time to do something the ShakeAlert Earthquake Early porated Research Institutions for to protect yourself such as Drop!, Cover!, Warning System: (IRIS)/USGS) and Hold On! https://www.iris.edu/hq/inclass/ www.ShakeAlert.org/resources animation/shakealert_earthquake_ early_warning_system

Human Wave: Modeling Seismic Waves in the Classroom (IRIS) https://www.iris.edu/hq/inclass/ video/human_wave_modeling_ seismic_waves_in_the_classroom A ShakeAlert can also be sent to a NGSS 3-D Learning Earthquake Intensity (IRIS/USGS) hospital, a light rail system, a fire station, • Science and Engineering Practices https://www.iris.edu/hq/inclass/ a water provider utility, or a school to – Obtaining, Evaluating, and animation/earthquake_intensity trigger automated actions such as starting emergency generators, slowing down Communicating Information Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drills trains, opening fire house doors, closing • Disciplinary Core Ideas – Earth and http://www.shakeout.org water system valves, or playing a pre- Human Activity recorded message on a loud speaker. Source: California Geological Survey. • Crosscutting Concepts – Cause Used with permission. and Effect

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