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I'm always surprised by the ways new technology can be used in ways not specifically intended.
Several apps have been developed that use the accelerometers in mobile phones to detect and measure earthquakes as they happen and provide an early warning to people who can be affected.
Have a read here - http://learningenglish.voanews.com/content/article/3194948.html
Martin
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I see this particular app is only available on Android devices so far...
My question would be related to it's validity...ie how much of an early warning system would it be?
If it gives you enough time to get clear of any imminent quake....then yes I can see it would be useful....
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@Cleoriff I think it would only give a few minutes at most which is not a lot of time but would at least allow you to prepare and maybe get to a door frame or outside.
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The short video accompanying the article says that at the moment it would only give a couple of seconds warning, and the phone would need to be on a flat surface. Probably enough time to put your head between your legs and kiss your butt goodbye. It's a good idea, but I think it probably needs a lot more development.
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@Bambino Agreed further development is needed but the idea definitely has potential.
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@Martin-O2 Any development in this field, particularly for underdeveloped countries where earthquakes cause so much devastation, is more than welcome and I applaud the research. There is definitely potential there. This is certainly a good starting point.
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@Bambino Its great that it requires no new technology and as smart phones are everywhere now, even in less developed parts of the world these kinds of apps could become very useful in the future.
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@Martin-O2 I think it's great that someone is working on this, and hopefully it will be of some help in the not too distant future. I don't, however, think that smartphones are as everywhere in less developed countries as you might think. Possibly in urban areas, but maybe not in remote rural places, and can people in underdeveloped places actually afford to keep their phones connected to a network all the time? Also, the technology as it is at the moment requires the phone to be on a flat surface. I don't think that's going to help someone working in a field with his phone in his pocket, and the earth is opening under his feet to swallow him up. It has to start somewhere though, and this is as good a starting point as any.
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One problem,
This would have to run in the background 100% of the time. Plus... Most error reports are now sent by shaking the phone, so by the time you recharge your battery, and then cancel the Google maps error report send notification, it will probably be too late.
However I have a 100% guaranteed fix for this.... If the room is shaking, it probably is an earthquake. Checking on Facebook or Twitter will confirm.
This would have to run in the background 100% of the time. Plus... Most error reports are now sent by shaking the phone, so by the time you recharge your battery, and then cancel the Google maps error report send notification, it will probably be too late.
However I have a 100% guaranteed fix for this.... If the room is shaking, it probably is an earthquake. Checking on Facebook or Twitter will confirm.
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@viridis wrote:
However I have a 100% guaranteed fix for this.... If the room is shaking, it probably is an earthquake. Checking on Facebook or Twitter will confirm.
which would presuppose you have access to FB or Twitter wherever you are at the time....
