China to create warning system for earthquakes

China will have a national earthquake monitoring and warning system within five years. According to an official from China’s Earthquake Administration, the system would not be able to forecast an earthquake, but it could detect quakes and notify people within seconds before seismic waves actually hit them. The official added timely warnings may effectively reduce casualties and economic losses. The development of the system was launched in 2009 and is expected to be verified this March, he said. The project has been filed with the country’s top economic planner for approval, and includes the establishment of some 5,000 stations across the country with funds of two billion Yuan ($320.4 million). A trial program currently being carried out in south east China’s Fujian Province has proven successful, he added.