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Evidence-based guidelines for protective actions and earthquake early warning systems

October 11, 2021

Earthquake early warning systems (EEW) are becoming increasingly available or in development throughout the world. With public alerting in Mexico, Japan, Taiwan, and parts of the United States, it is important to provide evidence-based recommendations for protective action so people can protect themselves when they receive an alert. Best-practice warning communication research suggests that providing a protective action will increase the efficacy of the message. However, given the diversity of earthquakes and building types, as well as social and cultural contexts where these systems exist, the question is: what is the best protective action to recommend? The answer lies in maximizing life-saving protective actions during an earthquake event requires both contextually relevant messaging and widespread public education about appropriate protective actions under a range of conditions. By researching previous earthquake injury literature, examining current best practices and public education campaigns, key protective actions may be determined and used to increase the life-saving potential of earthquake early warning systems.

Publication Year 2022
Title Evidence-based guidelines for protective actions and earthquake early warning systems
DOI 10.1190/geo2021-0222.1
Authors Sara K. McBride, Hollie Smith, Meredith Morgoch, Danielle Sumy, Mariah Jenkins, Lori Peek, Ann Bostrom, Dare Baldwin, Beth Reddy, Robert M. de Groot, Julia Becker, David Johnston, Michelle Wood
Publication Type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Series Title Geophysics
Index ID 70226683
Record Source USGS Publications Warehouse
USGS Organization Earthquake Science Center