Chile Uses Earthquake Communication Technology To Saves Lives

On Monday evening a powerful earthquake shook northern Chile. Six people were reported to have been killed. The 8.2 magnitude quake also triggered a six-foot tsunami. More lives could have been lost had it not been for the Chile's early tsunami warning system.\n

Chilean authorities warned people of the impending tsunami using Twitter, text messaging, and good old fashioned sirens. People quickly fled to higher ground after hearing the tsunami warning, remembering the huge earthquake of 2010.\n

In the immediate aftermath of the last large earthquake phone networks became critically overloaded. The BBC reports that in 2011 the Chilean government implemented a new instant alert technology. The software uses a geo-targeted system to allow authorities to send out simultaneous mass alerts across the internet, cell phones, television, and radio. The messages can be sent to millions within seconds, even when all systems are busy. \n

This sophisticated communication technology was particularly effective because people knew what to do with it. In recent weeks many citizens have practiced their preparedness skills in earthquake drills. \n

Know what to do in an earthquake at Ready.Gov.\n