U.S. Geological Survey in Pasadena Suspends Quake-Watching Operations

The Pasadena office of U.S. Geological Survey has suspended most of its operations due to the federal shutdown, but earthquake monitoring operations continue as normal at nearby Caltech.

Deborah Williams-Hedges, Caltech’s Director for Media Relations, said Caltech will continue its operations on earthquake studies despite the closing down of its government partner.

“Earthquake notifications in southern California will continue and we have our seismic analyst here and our seismologists all ready to go in case of emergency,” Williams-Hedges said.

The U.S. Geological Survey has closed down amid federal government’s partial shutdown for the first time in nearly two decades.

The USGS Pasadena office, which is located across Caltech’s campus, posted on its website that “due to a lapse in Federal funding, the USGS Earthquake Hazards Program has suspended most of its operations.”

“While the USGS will continue to monitor and report on earthquake activity, the accuracy or timeliness of some earthquake information products, as well as the availability or functionality of some web pages, could be affected by our reduced level of operation,” the U.S. Geological Survey stated.

Employees — including the locally renowned Dr. Lucy Jones — have been told to stay home and computers were shut down, the Los Angeles Weekly reported.

To monitor earthquake in Pasadena and other Southern California areas, click here.