If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Rolling Stone may receive an affiliate commission. Few things bring people together on the West Coast like an earthquake. Whether it’s rushing to Twitter to see if the jolt you felt was real, or planning your pod (and prepping your pad ) in case the “big one” hits, the threat of an earthquake isn’t just part of Universal Studios lore — it’s a very likely occurrence.
When it comes to safely navigating natural disasters, knowledge is power. Wherever you live geographically, it is important to know what threats you are up against and what it means to be prepared. If you live in a region of the world that experiences earthquakes, earthquake alert alarms are easy-to-install tools that help give you a more advanced warning of the impending event.
While earthquake alert alarms are not a substitute for following local warnings and evacuation orders, they are complementary tools. The best earthquake alert alarms work by detecting the P-wave (compression wave) of an earthquake, which travels faster than the more destructive S-wave (shear wave). This technology allows for the detection of earthquakes that occur miles away.
Having a properly-installed earthquake alert alarm can make the difference between having enough time to escape to safety and having to endure the earthquake from where you are. The best earthquake alert alarms also function as SOS lights that can help you flag down.