A national-level quick report system of earthquake intensity is scheduled to be finished in Guangdong by 2022 to improve earthquake warning capabilities and enhance efficiency in disaster mitigation, said local earthquake authorities said in a press conference on September 6.

Once the system is completed, 1,172 early warning stations will cover most regions of Guangdong, especially the earthquake-prone coastal areas. The province will be able to report earthquake intensity in the order of minute. Warnings can be released 5-15 seconds after the earthquake in most parts of the province, and 15-30 seconds for regions located on the province’s northern and western borders.

The seconds to tens of seconds of advance warning will allow the public to take actions to reduce loss of life, and emergency measures can be taken for major infrastructures, lifeline projects and important living facilities. For example, high-speed trains can slow down, gas pipelines and nuclear reactors can be shut down, elevators can be stopped on the nearest floor and so on, according to Sun Peiqing, director of the Guangdong Earthquake Agency.

Since September 1, Guangdong has put into effect management measures of earthquake early warnings. The measures, 23 in total, cover the government’s responsibilities in earthquake early warning, the planning and construction of earthquake warning systems, information release and emergency response.

As stated in the measures, public places with dense population and use, such as kindergartens, schools, and hospitals in key monitoring areas are required to install earthquake information automatic receiving and broadcasting devices.

Every time there is an earthquake, the warning, basically a beam of electromagnetic wave, outruns the seismic wave, thus transmitting the information before the seismic wave’s arrival, reserving seconds of time for escape.

Statistics show that since 2010, there have been 2,537 earthquakes above magnitude 1 in Guangdong and offshore areas, including 50 at magnitude 3-3.9, 7 at magnitude 4-4.9, and 1 above magnitude 5, which was the 5.2-level one that broke out at the junction of Huazhou, Guangdong and Beiliu, Guangxi.

Author | Abby, Jerry (intern)

Editor | Olivia, Jerry