In brief: Early-warning plan for quakes sought

LOS ANGELES – A group of California’s top geophysicists and seismologists announced an $80 million plan Monday to create an earthquake early warning system in that state.

It would be the first such network in the United States and marks an ambitious new safety initiative by some of California’s top state and federal earthquake experts.

The U.S. is behind Japan – as well as Mexico, Taiwan, Turkey and even Romania – is creating early alert systems. Last year, residents in Mexico City were warned shortly before the shaking from a magnitude 7.4 quake that began near Acapulco arrived.

Democratic state Sen. Alex Padilla is proposing legislation to create the statewide network. California already has hundreds of ground sensors measuring earth movement, but experts said another $80 million is needed to expand and upgrade the monitors. They said the system could be up and running in two years if funding is found.

Rogue wave claims California woman

EUREKA, Calif. – A Northern California woman drowned after she was swept out to sea by a large wave in the third such tragedy in the region this season, authorities said.

Humboldt County Coroner David Parris on Monday identified the victim as Susan Archer, 32, of Shelter Cove.

Archer was walking on a rocky beach near her home on Sunday with her boyfriend and dog when the wave pulled her into the ocean, Parris said. Her body was brought to shore after a roughly 45-minute search by boat and helicopter. Attempts to revive her with CPR didn’t work, he said.

U.S. fighter jet lost over Adriatic Sea

WASHINGTON – U.S. and Italian aircraft on Monday searched the Adriatic Sea after losing contact with a U.S. fighter jet believed to have crashed during a training mission off the coast of Italy.

The headquarters of the 31st Fighter Wing, at Aviano Air Base in Italy, said in a statement that the F-16 fighter had one pilot aboard when contact was lost Monday evening.

There was no early word on the fate of the plane or the pilot.