Friday, March 1, 2019

Deep Learning Shakes Up Seismology with Quake Early Warning System

Most people can’t detect an earthquake until the ground under their feet is already shaking or sliding, leaving little time to prepare or take shelter. Scientists are trying to short circuit that surprise using the critical time window during the spread of seismic waves out from a temblor’s hypocenter — an earthquake’s underground point of origin. With a speedy warning, government agencies, transportation officials and energy companies could halt trains and shut off power lines to mitigate damage — and give people a chance to brace themselves.