Test Planned on Quake Monitoring System That Speeds Location Data

Caltech, the U.S. Geological Survey and Pacific Bell on Wednesday announced an 18-month test of a new earthquake monitoring system aimed at showing not only quake epicenters for all temblors over magnitude 5, but also areas of highest shaking intensity.

The system employs digital sensors to automatically relay quake information to Caltech computers, which could then disseminate the data to emergency officials. If it proves workable, it could speed rescue efforts to the areas most affected by an earthquake.

Pacific Bell is contributing $100,000 to finance the test. Twenty sensors will be placed in an area from Ventura in the north to San Onofre in the south and inland to Palmdale and San Bernardino, officials said.

Caltech seismologist Egill Hauksson said at a news conference that it took 22 minutes to provide the first precise public information about the location of the Northridge earthquake, and this did not include all the areas that underwent intense shaking. The new system could speed the process considerably, he said.

A magnitude 5 earthquake would have to occur somewhere in the area for a successful test.