An earthquake-detection system under development by the University of California's Berkeley Seismological Laboratory proved its mettle on Aug. 24 by issuing a warning 10 seconds before a magnitude-6 temblor struck south of Napa, Calif. The alert could have gone out 2.5 seconds sooner if the ShakeAlert system, based on Japan's primary-wave detection system, were funded, and the lab were able to install more sensors, says a lab spokesperson.
"It was definitely a great proof-positive that the system works just like we'd hoped," says Jennifer Strauss, the lab's external relations officer. "One of the things the Napa quake did show us is you need to make sure there are enough sensors," says Strauss.