Volunteer Quake-catchers

We are now a tiny outpost of Stanford University.  Adam and Katy from GNS science have been and installed an earthquake sensor on my computer.   There’s a small box oriented north and taped to the window sill (needs a hard surface, not carpet).

Our personal Quake-catcher

200 of these are being installed throughout Canterbury to collect ‘internationally important data’ which can ‘provide better understanding of earthquakes and give early warning to emergency response providers and others’.  The sensor which is connected to a USB port will measure and record ground movement in three directions and transmit this to the Quake-Catcher Network.  I have to leave my computer on continually while the Quake-catcher is in place – probably for about six weeks.  I’ve appreciated the data about the strength of shocks which I’ve been able to access on the GNS website, and am happy to help them in this small way.

“Now every time we feel a shake
our little box will catch  the quake.”