Warning in Context: Earthquake Early Warning as Achievements in Environmental, Social, and Technical Worlds

Abstract:

While much effort goes into securing the proper technical function of earthquake early warning (EEW) systems, these systems are always more than technical productions. They developed, maintained, and operated in social and environmental context. The successful operation of an EEW depends on these contexts.

In this paper, I draw on qualitative ethnographic and archival research undertaken on Mexico’s Sistema de Alerta Sísmica Mexicana between 2011-2018 and preliminary results from a second study on the United States system ShakeAlert which began in early 2020. First, I discuss community experiences with the two EEW systems. Second, I highlight how designers of each of these systems have confronted opportunities and challenges related to the social and environmental context in which communities experience warnings. My analysis of these data demonstrates the high stakes of considering EEW use in context. It also shows the utility of building meaningful community partnerships as part of EEW design and operation. This paper contributes to research on how new technologies grow in environmental and social context and provides insight sfor development of EEW-related collaborations and outreach.