ZME Science
No Result
View All Result
ZME Science
No Result
View All Result
ZME Science

Home → Science → Geology

Using Smartphones to create an Urban Seismic Networks

Mihai AndreibyMihai Andrei
September 30, 2013
in Geology
A A
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterSubmit to Reddit

RelatedPosts

This glacier produces half a million ice quakes a year
Did North Korea actually test a bomb? Science actually has the answer
Smartphones used as sensors for earthquake early warnings
Researchers detect a boomerang earthquake under the Atlantic Ocean

A tiny chip already used in smartphones for the orientation of your screen could serve to create a real-time urban seismic network, easily increasing the amount of strong motion data collected during a large earthquake, helping responders know where the most damage has been done and where the strongest intervention is needed.

iphone earthquake

Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) accelerometers have been used since the 1990s, when they revolutionized the airbag industry; as the name says, they measure the rate of acceleration of ground motion and vibration of cars, buildings and installations and are commonly found in smart devices used daily, in video games, screen adjustments (horizontal or vertical for example) and laptops.

Antonino D’Alessandro and Giuseppe D’Anna, both seismologists at Istituto Nazionale di Geosifica e Vulcanologia in Italy tested whether these inexpensive MEMS accelerometers could accurately and reliably detect ground motion caused by earthquakes – at least by the big ones. They tested the LIS331DLH MEMS accelerometer which is already implemented in the iPhone, and compared it to the earthquake sensor EpiSensor ES-T force balance accelerometer. Of course, the iPhone can’t really compare to a sensor designed specifically for earthquake study, but it fared pretty well.

Their tests suggest that the MEMS accelerometers can easily pick up data from earthquakes with a magnitude larger than 5, when located closely to the epicenter. However, the two seismologists estimate that with the development of the accelerometers, they will pretty soon be able to be useful for earthquakes with a magnitude of 4. The advantage here is huge: with the widespread of the technology, it is possible to dramatically increase coverage when strong earthquakes occur; if their idea would be implemented, numerous lives could be saved due to better interventions in the immediate aftermath of an earthquake.

The article, “Suitability of low-cost three-axis MEMS accelerometers in strong-motion seismology: tests on the LIS331DLH (iPhone) accelerometer,” is published in October issue of BSSA.

Tags: earthquakeiphone

ShareTweetShare
Mihai Andrei

Mihai Andrei

Dr. Andrei Mihai is a geophysicist and founder of ZME Science. He has a Ph.D. in geophysics and archaeology and has completed courses from prestigious universities (with programs ranging from climate and astronomy to chemistry and geology). He is passionate about making research more accessible to everyone and communicating news and features to a broad audience.

Related Posts

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
Environment

The Japanese Mayor Who Built a Floodgate No One Wanted — and Saved His Town

byMihai Andrei
4 months ago
Geology

Seemingly sudden earthquakes may be preceded by a slow creep. Could this be the key to earthquake prediction?

byTibi Puiu
5 months ago
Science

Scientists Discover How Earthquakes Might Create Massive Gold Nuggets

byTibi Puiu
10 months ago
Geology

Periodic San Andreas fault earthquake may still be imminent despite period of calm

byMihai Andrei
1 year ago

Recent news

China Resurrected an Abandoned Soviet ‘Sea Monster’ That’s Part Airplane, Part Hovercraft

June 30, 2025
great white shark

This Shark Expert Has Spent Decades Studying Attacks and Says We’ve Been Afraid for the Wrong Reasons

June 30, 2025

A Rocket Carried Cannabis Seeds and 166 Human Remains into Space But Their Capsule Never Made It Back

June 30, 2025
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Editorial Policy
  • Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
  • How we review products
  • Contact

© 2007-2025 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Science News
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Space
  • Future
  • Features
    • Natural Sciences
    • Physics
      • Matter and Energy
      • Quantum Mechanics
      • Thermodynamics
    • Chemistry
      • Periodic Table
      • Applied Chemistry
      • Materials
      • Physical Chemistry
    • Biology
      • Anatomy
      • Biochemistry
      • Ecology
      • Genetics
      • Microbiology
      • Plants and Fungi
    • Geology and Paleontology
      • Planet Earth
      • Earth Dynamics
      • Rocks and Minerals
      • Volcanoes
      • Dinosaurs
      • Fossils
    • Animals
      • Mammals
      • Birds
      • Fish
      • Amphibians
      • Reptiles
      • Invertebrates
      • Pets
      • Conservation
      • Animal facts
    • Climate and Weather
      • Climate change
      • Weather and atmosphere
    • Health
      • Drugs
      • Diseases and Conditions
      • Human Body
      • Mind and Brain
      • Food and Nutrition
      • Wellness
    • History and Humanities
      • Anthropology
      • Archaeology
      • History
      • Economics
      • People
      • Sociology
    • Space & Astronomy
      • The Solar System
      • Sun
      • The Moon
      • Planets
      • Asteroids, meteors & comets
      • Astronomy
      • Astrophysics
      • Cosmology
      • Exoplanets & Alien Life
      • Spaceflight and Exploration
    • Technology
      • Computer Science & IT
      • Engineering
      • Inventions
      • Sustainability
      • Renewable Energy
      • Green Living
    • Culture
    • Resources
  • Videos
  • Reviews
  • About Us
    • About
    • The Team
    • Advertise
    • Contribute
    • Editorial policy
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact

© 2007-2025 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.