Scientists say it's not a matter of if the next big earthquake will rattle Southern California, but when. That's why researchers are working hard to finalize a public early warning system that could save your life. 

Josh Bashioum is looking at the future of earthquake detection in Southern California.

"This is the scenario we were talking about, the San Andreas, the 'big one,'" said Bashioum.

"Here in L.A., we'd get roughly 57 seconds of warning, which is huge."

Bashioum is the founder of Early Warning Labs. His company takes data from the USGS Shake Alert Project and develops software to track earthquakes. Right now, it's only available commercially. 

"We're installing it at condo high-rise buildings, office buildings, " said Bashioum.

They've also tested systems at fire stations and L.A. Transit.

"We can slow and and stop all L.A. Metro trains in roughly 27 seconds to prevent derailment and serious injury," said Bashioum.

Earlier this year, his team tested a device at Los Angeles City Hall for the Great Shake Out. Children responded to a siren, telling them to prepare for an earthquake.

Bashioum hopes to eventually roll out an app called "Quake Alert" to give us all a warning on our smartphones. Experts say even 10 seconds can be enough time to drop, take cover, and hold on before it's too late.

"That can roughly prevent half the injuries and half the death," said Bashioum.

Robert de Groot is one of the USGS scientists who helps provide the Shake Alert data.

"The star here represents the epicenter of the earthquake," said De Groot, pointing to a computer screen. 

"It's where the earthquake reaches the surface."

While the USGS can prepare an alert quickly, delivering that message across a massive cell phone network isn't possible just yet.

"It's really hard to get a million push notifications at one time within a couple seconds to all those people," said Bashioum. 

But that's exactly what he and wireless companies are working to improve while including as many devices as possible.

"The television you're watching now may be the place you receive shake alerts," said de Groot.