# Earthquake-Detecting PC Mods The Quake Catcher Network Turns Laptops Into Seismometers (UPDATE) By Michael Hines | Published 2010-04-25 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/quake-catcher-network References: [qcn.stanford.edu](http://qcn.stanford.edu/index.php) I believe that the [Quake Catcher Network](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/quake-brutalist) can save California from "the big one". Elizabeth Cochran of UCR and Jesse Lawrence of [Stanford](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/synthetic-user-startup) are the geniuses who developed the Quake Catcher Network to turn your laptop's accelerometer into a seismometer. Looks like we aren't doomed after all. The Quake Catcher Network can detect earthquakes as "small" as 4.0. The data is [crowdsourced](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fire-watch) and can be viewed on the Quake Catcher website. The program runs unnoticed, so ideally every laptop in the world would run the Quake Catcher program to help spread the word of an earthquake as early as possible. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 0.9/10 - Popularity: 3% | Activity: 15% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [Computers](https://www.trendhunter.com/computers) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Earthquake-detection Technology:** Using laptop accelerometers as seismometers to detect earthquakes as small as 4.0 on the Richter Scale. - **Crowdsourced Data Collection:** Utilizing a network of laptops to crowdsource earthquake data and provide real-time updates on the Quake Catcher website. - **Disaster Early Warning Systems:** Developing innovative methods to alert individuals and communities of imminent earthquakes to enhance preparedness and safety. ### Who This Affects Most - **Technology:** Integrating laptop accelerometers into earthquake detection systems to improve early warning capabilities. - **Data Analytics:** Analyzing crowdsourced earthquake data collected from laptops to identify patterns and improve earthquake prediction models. - **Emergency Management:** Implementing advanced disaster early warning systems to enhance emergency preparedness and response strategies for earthquake-prone regions. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Comprehensive Earthquake Alerts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/quakeinfo.md) - [Earthquake Preparedness Events](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/earthquake-preparedness-event.md) - [Environment Monitor Devices](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sense1.md) - [Shock-Absorbing Laptop Accessories](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/casetify-5.md) - [Bioaccoustic Wildlife Monitoring](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/soundscapes-to-landscapes.md) - [Protective Earthquake Response Shields](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/testudo-shield-and-helmet.md) - [Ambient Safety Monitors](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hafi.md) - [Tracker-Detecting Smartphone Updates](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/google-find-my-device-network.md) - [Ultra-Efficient Keyboard PCs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pentaform-abacus-pc.md)