28 Feb 2024

Update on use of early earthquake warning technology

From Nine To Noon, 9:35 am on 28 February 2024
Recording earthquake information

Recording earthquake information Photo: 123rf

Scientists here have started using a sensor system to estimate the extent and location of earthquakes before they hit.

The FinDer sensor system has provided good results when used in real-time in recent magnitude 6 earthquakes around Porangahau and Geraldine.

The technology detects "P-waves" before the more damaging "S-waves" arrive soon after.

Some android phone users already get warnings via a Google system.

But New Zealand does not have an official earthquake early warning system as exists in other countries like Japan.