A method of detecting an earthquake, comprises, by a processor and memory circuitry: obtaining motion data based on data collected by one or more sensors, filtering the motion data to obtain filtered data FD, wherein the filtering comprises, within at least one range of frequencies representative of an earthquake, amplifying one or more frequencies of the motion data within this range, wherein the one or more frequencies are more amplified relative to other frequencies within this range, comparing, at least once, data representative of FD to at least one threshold, if this comparison meets an alerting criteria, generating an alert indicating that an earthquake has been detected.

Various embodiments herein relate to systems and methods for detecting seismic events. Systems may include inertial sensors distributed on or in communication with a network of optically switchable windows in the building. In some systems, inertial sensors are located within a window controller, within an insulated glass unit, or in some way rigidly attached to the structure of a building. Logic is described for leveraging sensed inertial data to predicted a seismic event and/or evaluate the structural health of the building. In some cases, logic may be used to issue an alert to building occupants about impending shear waves that will arrive at the building's location. In some cases, a window network may respond to a detected seismic event by, e.g., changing the optical state of windows and/or providing occupants with evacuation instructions.

A computer implemented method includes: capturing an ambient sound event; determining whether the ambient sound event matches at least one of a plurality of pre-identified sound events stored in a computer storage; generating a prompt via the user interface for a user to confirm that a response is needed; determining whether to initiate a response based on the user's response to the prompt.

A mechanical-model based earthquake-induced landslide hazard assessment method in earthquake-prone mountainous area includes: obtaining the cohesion and internal friction angle through a geological map of the study area and a geotechnical physical parameter; obtaining simulated ground motions by combining a pulse-like ground motion effect model and a pulse-like ground motion response model; calculating slope permanent displacement according to the simulated ground motions, the cohesion, the internal friction angle and other parameters; obtaining a statistical relationship between the permanent displacement and a landslide probability according to permanent displacement data derived from historical earthquake-induced landslides and historical strong earthquake records; and predicting earthquake-induced landslide probability according to the slope permanent displacement and the statistical relationship between the permanent displacement and the landslide probability, and quantitatively evaluating earthquake-induced landslide hazard through the earthquake-induced landslide probability.

A valve controller device for controlling a set of one or more solenoid valves is provided. The valve controller comprises an accelerometer for making acceleration measurements in three directions comprising acceleration measurements in a vertical direction. The valve controller comprises a processing unit that determines the arrival of seismic P-waves when the ratio of vibrations' power in the vertical direction with respect to a sum of the vibrations' power in the three directions exceeds a first threshold. The processing unit then determines the arrival of seismic S-waves when the vector sum of the vibrations' power in the three directions exceeds a second threshold. The processing unit then determines the arrival of seismic surface waves when the vector sum of the vibrations' power in the three directions exceeds a third threshold. The processing unit then sends one or more signals to close the set of solenoid valves.

A device and method for receiving real-time warning messages about a hazardous situation, for which an alert or a mitigating control action may be warranted, with the means to measure the effects forecasted by the parameters contained in the warning messages, adjust the parameters to more accurately reflect local conditions, and provide feedback about the performance and accuracy of the system sending the warning messages.

A system is provided. The system includes a plurality of seismic sensors and a computer device. The computer device is programmed to a) store a plurality of distances between each of the plurality of seismic sensors; b) store one or more fingerprints of a signal to be detected; c) receive a first signal transmitted from a first seismic sensor of the plurality of seismic sensors; d) receive the first signal transmitted from a second seismic sensor of the plurality of seismic sensors; e) compare the first signal to the one or more fingerprints of the signal to be detected; and f) determine a direction of travel of the first signal based on the distance between the first seismic sensor and the second seismic sensor, the first time, and the second time.

A seismic sensor includes a measurement unit configured to measure acceleration; an earthquake determination unit configured to determine whether or not an earthquake has occurred based on the acceleration measured in a predetermined determination period; an index calculator configured to calculate an index value indicating a scale of an earthquake in an earthquake processing period after the predetermined determination period, when the earthquake determination unit determines that an earthquake has occurred; a continuous earthquake determination unit configured to determine whether or not an earthquake has occurred, based on the acceleration measured in the earthquake processing period; and a shut-off determination unit configured to inhibit output of the shut-off signal regardless of the index value when the continuous earthquake determination unit determines that no earthquake has occurred.

A seismic monitoring system includes a plurality of seismic monitors and a processing device operatively coupled to the plurality of seismic monitors. The processing device receives recordings of waveforms of motion detected at the plurality of seismic detectors in a geographic area. The processing device applies the respective recordings to corresponding positions of the seismic detectors in a three-dimensional geological model that describes its elastic attributes and tests a plurality of moment tensors at a plurality of locations. Based on the testing, the processing device determines a globally convergent source location and moment tensor in the three-dimensional model based on the testing.

A retrofit valve shutoff device is provided that comprises a coupling key for coupling with an actuator of a shutoff valve on a fluid supply line, an inertial measurement unit for generating one or more signals in response to arrival of seismic waves, a motor for rotating the coupling key and the actuator of the shutoff valve, and a processing unit for receiving the one or more signals from the inertial measurement unit, analyzing the received signals to determine whether to close the shutoff valve, and sending a signal to the motor to rotate the coupling key and the actuator of the shutoff valve to close the shutoff valve based on the analysis of the received signals.