Nevada Congressman Mark Amodei has announced nearly $35 million in funds to expand ShakeAlert earthquake early warning systems in Nevada.
Amodei partnered with the University of Nevada, Reno, on the expansion, according to a post from the congressman on X.
The funding was secured as part of the Commerce, Justice, Science; Energy and Water Development; and Interior and Environment Appropriations Act, which was signed into law by the president on January 23.
“While neighboring states already have the tools and technology to warn residents of potential earthquakes, Nevada has lagged behind,” said Amodei. “This funding will equip our state’s experts with the resources they need to implement a proven system that keeps Nevadans safe and communities prepared for seismic activity. I appreciate the University of Nevada for its leadership and advocacy on this issue, and it was an honor to work alongside them to secure the funding that will bring ShakeAlert to Nevada.”
University President Brian Sandoval also responded to the news.
“We thank Representative Amodei for his leadership in advocating for this funding to advance research and create much-needed infrastructure for earthquake emergency response in Nevada,” he said.
ShakeAlert works by detecting the fastest seismic waves close to an earthquake as soon as it starts. Computer algorithms compare the signals from several seismic stations and confirm that a large earthquake has occurred, and trigger an alert.
For areas farther away from the source of the earthquake, the alert arrives via cell phones and WEA Alerts before damaging seismic waves reach that location.
