The 4.2 magnitude earthquake that shook the Kitsap Peninsula Wednesday night allowed the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network (PNSN) at the University of Washington to test a new early warning system.
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"In this earthquake, we could see the quake and tell it was going to be a magnitude 4 within six seconds of when it hit," said seismologist John Vidale. "Which means there was 10 or 15 seconds of warning we could have given the people in the Puget Sound."
Ten to 15 seconds doesn't sound like a lot, but Vidale said if people know an earthquake is coming they may be able to move away from bookshelves and overhead lamps or even turn off the stove.
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Hazards
Earthquake
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Early warning
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United States of America