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Laptops May Help Sense Quakes

Personal, work computers enlisted as Calif. researchers aim to plug gaps in detection

By Laila Weir,  Newser User

Posted Apr 22, 2008 1:57 PM CDT

(Newser) – Laptop computers are the key to a new earthquake-sensing project in California, the MIT Technology Review reports. Researchers are working to connect home and business computers in a network that could monitor activity and even provide early warning of big quakes. Motion detectors would report shaking to a central server, letting seismologists identify unusual movement concentrated in a particular area.

“We’re not trying to predict earthquakes, we're trying to measure them very rapidly and get the information out before damage is done to large populations," said a seismologist. Even seconds of warning could allow for automated measures like slowing or stopping trains, as is done in Japan. The beta Quake Catcher Network will focus first on the San Francisco and Los Angeles areas.

Firefighters board up windows of an historic building in Wells, Nev. Thursday Feb. 21, 2008 in the aftermath of an earthquake.
Firefighters board up windows of an historic building in Wells, Nev. Thursday Feb. 21, 2008 in the aftermath of an earthquake.   (AP Photo/Elko Daily Free Press, Ross Andreson)
An emergency vehicle waits at the scene where rubble from earthquake damage lies strewn along a sidewalk in an old section of Louisville, Ky., Friday, April 18, 2008.
An emergency vehicle waits at the scene where rubble from earthquake damage lies strewn along a sidewalk in an old section of Louisville, Ky., Friday, April 18, 2008.   (AP Photo)
Mike Dunkel, 57, owner of the Wagon Wheel Discount Liquor cleans up damaged stock in his Mt. Carmel, Ill., liquor store Friday morning April 18, 2008 after early morning earthquake struck in the Midwest.
Mike Dunkel, 57, owner of the Wagon Wheel Discount Liquor cleans up damaged stock in his Mt. Carmel, Ill., liquor store Friday morning April 18, 2008 after early morning earthquake struck in the Midwest.   (AP Photo/ Daniel R. Patmore)
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