In a message dated 2006/09/07, mark.robinson@............... writes:

> PC hard disk system warns of Tsunamis
> By John Blau, IDG News Service, 09/07/06
> 
> Governments seeking inexpensive technology to warn of tsunamis could be 
> interested in a free software application that monitors vibrations in the 
> hard 
> disks of computers in an attempt to detect the undersea earthquakes that 
> cause 
> tsunamis.
> 
> The Tsunami Harddisk Detector is the brainchild of Michael Stadler, who 
> demonstrated the prototype system earlier this week at the Ars Electronica 
> exhibition in Linz, Austria.
> http://www.networkworld.com/news/2006/090706-pc-hard-disk-system-warns.html
> http://science.slashdot.org/science/06/09/07/1922214.shtml

Hi there,

       Before anyone spends money, the hard disks have a MEMS accelerometer 
in them. It has a fairly high noise and a short period. This is not even 
suitable for ordinary seismic detectors. For tsunami detection you need low noise 
and about 300 sec period. This account is a 'late entry' - the possible seismic 
application was noted  and dismissed several years ago.

       Regards,

       Chris Chapman
In a me=
ssage dated 2006/09/07, mark.robinson@............... writes:



PC hard disk system warns of Ts=
unamis

By John Blau, IDG News Service, 09/07/06



Governments seeking inexpensive technology to warn of tsunamis could be 

interested in a free software application that monitors vibrations in the ha=
rd 

disks of computers in an attempt to detect the undersea earthquakes that cau=
se 

tsunamis.



The Tsunami Harddisk Detector is the brainchild of Michael Stadler, who 

demonstrated the prototype system earlier this week at the Ars Electronica <=
BR>
exhibition in Linz, Austria.

http://www.networkworld.com/news/2006/090706-pc-hard-disk-system-warns.html<=
BR>
http://science.slashdot.org/science/06/09/07/1922214.shtml




Hi there,



       Before anyone spends money, the hard di=
sks have a MEMS accelerometer in them. It has a fairly high noise and a shor=
t period. This is not even suitable for ordinary seismic detectors. For tsun=
ami detection you need low noise and about 300 sec period. This account is a=
 'late entry' - the possible seismic application was noted  and dismiss=
ed several years ago.



       Regards,



       Chris Chapman