Chch company creates quake warning device

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Chch company creates quake warning device

3News NZ

The system has been developed by Christchurch company Roam3

The system has been developed by Christchurch company Roam3

It sounds like a load of rubbish: A detection system that will warn of an incoming earthquake up to a minute before it actually hits.

In fact earthquake warning systems are already up and running in Japan, Taiwan and Mexico.

Residents of Tokyo who had signed up to the Japanese system had about 80 seconds of warning before the devastating March 11 quake. 

Experts say even a five second warning could reduce casualties by 80 percent.

Now Christchurch company Roam3 says it has perfected its own early warning system.

Tristram Clayton went to see if it really works.

Watch the video.

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Comments

12/05/2012 10:30:32 p.m.

TT-M wrote:

i think this kind of warning system can save lives, it is great and i would want one, let them make produce this system for all phones, any type or kind.

19/04/2011 9:32:51 a.m.

Dave wrote:

@MercalliMax

Umm have you watched it? They clearly say in the piece that it is using data not txt. And for the the September they would have been looking at about 3 sec warning for the CBD and if the Alpine Fault went maybe 30 sec warning in the Chch CBD.

@Andrew
Umm Roam3 network of sensors and can alert faster than the waves can travel. Put it this way Andrew your thing is a smoke alarm and can tell you that there is smoke in the house not that a bush fire is heading your way. The Roam3 system can tell you a bush fire is on the way with their system.

19/04/2011 9:05:53 a.m.

Seiko wrote:

I am from Japan and we have existing system similar to Roam3 has. I believe that it will be great help for people in NZ to have warning system. People start to aware that we need to do something about it after huge loss over the February' Earthquake. Warning system would be one of the factor to build up stronger city but we still need to work on other factor such as city plan. Anyway, I love the KIWI attitude "CAN DO", let's be positive and do what we can do to be strong again :)

18/04/2011 11:03:01 p.m.

MercalliMax wrote:

Well at 20km from the epicentre (e.g. the 5.3 coupla nights ago), the S wave will arrive in ~7 seconds. How many seconds does it take to measure significant PGA, decide to alert, then propagate it to the recipients thru presumably cellphone nwk? If it's SMS, forget it!

18/04/2011 11:01:36 p.m.

shells wrote:

Looking forward to that story Andrew

18/04/2011 10:52:49 p.m.

Matt wrote:

- Roam 3's system is an integrated system which can warn a person before the P-Wave even arrives at their location. - It works on phones and multiple other devices which means it is mobile and is not a fixed location warning system. - Roam 3 uses accelerometers to detect ground movement rather than trying to listen for a sound. - Quake Alarm website says it is endorsed by ARTI, the American Rescue Team International who is Doug Copp the Triangle of life proponent, whom the Ministry of Civil Defence, Rescue Organisations world wide, seismologists and engineers discredit his views. MCDEM Response to Triangle of Life http://tinyurl.com/47fqbbz

18/04/2011 9:17:49 p.m.

Andrew Harris wrote:

This is nonsense. If you want a newsworthy story try this. Post Septembers Quake in 2010, I was selling 'P' Wave detectors at COST on Trade Me. I had 90, ONLY 90 views and NO buyers. I contacted Christchurch Mayors office, The GM of The Radio Network Christchurch etc. NO ONE CARED AT ALL. The P wave comes before the devastating S wave. In many cases the P wave can offer enough time to escape. I was disgusted that no one at Christchurch Mayors office showed any interest. Here is the product. http://www.quakealarm.com/ Contact me for a full story.