Study shows feasibility of early warning of damaging ground motion from earthquakes

A Berkeley seismologist, Richard Allen, has discovered a way to provide advance warning — anywhere from a few seconds to tens of seconds — about impending ground shaking from an earthquake. While a few seconds may not sound like much, it's enough time for schoolchildren to dive under their desks; for gas and electric companies to shut down or isolate their systems; for phone companies to reroute traffic, airports to halt takeoffs and landings, and emergency providers to pinpoint probable trouble areas. Such actions can save lives and money.