USGS To Get $5M For SoCal Early Quake Warning System
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — An earthquake warning system aimed at protecting the Southland will get a much-needed financial boost Friday.
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa was expected to be joined by Dr. Lucy Jones of the US Geological Survey (USGS) and the Los Angeles/Long Beach Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI) Approval Authority members to announce $5 million in federal grants for the region's Earthquake Early Warning System.
The USGS, in partnership with CalTech and other institutions, has been developing an Earthquake Early Warning system for Southern California since 2006.
Officials say the $5 million in grants to the Los Angeles/Long Beach region from the Urban Areas Security Initiative will significantly improve the system's capacity and bring it closer to the level required to make earthquake early warning a reality in Southern California.
State Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Pacoima) formally announced legislation in January to create an $80 statewide system after a new study revealed the potential for a major earthquake involving both the Los Angeles and San Francisco metropolitan area.
