Crowdsourcing quake data from smartphones to save lives
“Crowdshake” is a new app that can create a network of earthquake-sensing smartphones, triggering warnings on nearby devices when tremors are detected by those nearer the epicenter. The technology is created by the Caltech Community Seismic Network and uses GPS to provide data about potential earthquakes.
The app is only as good as those who are using it, but could give those on the outskirts time to get to safety. Here is a video showing how this works:
Developers are testing it out in Pasadena, and are looking for volunteers to help them refine the technology. Subscribers could include a wide range of emergency responders, from public safety departments; public health and hospitals; utilities and communications firms; community disaster response organizations.
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