Community-based EEW Aotearoa New Zealand
A citizen-centric, 'Do-it-Yourself', 'IoT-infused' project
Welcome to the Community-based Earthquake Early Warning (EEW) Project
This research project investigates the feasibility of an affordable socio-technical earthquake early warning (EEW) solutions for New Zealand. Emerging technologies such as micro-seismic sensors (MS) and internet-of-things (IoT) are at the forefront of providing viable low-cost early warning options. A low-cost EEW system may be viable through forming a MS-IoT network of miniaturised computer and seismographs connected through existing communication channels. Utilising these emerging technologies towards an EEW system, would require large number of micro-seismic sensors and the participation of engaged citizens.
Pioneering research
The project builds on a recent EQC funded survey conducted among the New Zealand public. Where it was identified that more than 90% support EEW in New Zealand.
When it comes to a country like New Zealand with a population just under 5 million people, the extremely high cost of implementing and operating a nationwide EEW system raises a question whether it is economically viable for New Zealand to deploy such a system?
At present, New Zealand’s official geological monitoring agency, GNS Science, has centralized earthquake detection models supported by high-end seismographs. However, it takes nearly 60-seconds to compute a robust earthquake location. Information about earthquakes are disseminated only the post-event through the GeoNet website and mobile app; therefore, there is no official EEW system available in New Zealand to warn the public.
This project looks into the unexplored state-of-art research on “citizen-led self-aligning and self-healing DIY IoT embedded systems” to foster low-cost EEW applications. A short summary of research questions and objective can be read here.
Join the open-source initiative!
Email List "Citizen-led EEW Apps"<joinus@eew-citi-sci.nz>
Slack Channel "General" #eew"
