The Government Shutdown Could Be Skewing The Accuracy Of Earthquake Information

About that…..

Last night, a small 3.1 magnitude earthquake hit the San Francisco Bay Area.

Last night, a small 3.1 magnitude earthquake hit the San Francisco Bay Area.

Via earthquake.usgs.gov

Many people immediately went to the U.S. Geological Survey's website to get information. It was there.

Many people immediately went to the U.S. Geological Survey's website to get information. It was there.

Via earthquake.usgs.gov

But people quickly noticed this message at the top of the page.

But people quickly noticed this message at the top of the page.

Uh oh.

Via earthquake.usgs.gov

When I called the USGS to ask about any "accuracy or timeliness" being hit by the shutdown, I got an automatic message that said, "Due to a lapse in appropriations, we are prohibited from conducting work as a federal employee, including returning phone calls and emails until further notice." Two phone numbers were given in case the call was for "urgent matters about protecting life and property."


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