Earthquake Detection Using Accelerometers and Magnetic Sensors

Abstract

This paper covers the use of accelerometers and magnetic field sensors for detecting an earthquake before it arrives. This is possible because earthquakes emit a small magnetic wave from the epicentre that travels faster than the earthquake itself, allowing early detection and warning. Furthermore, an earthquake is made up of a fast-moving Primary (P) wave, and a slower more dangerous Secondary (S) wave. It is also possible to detect the P wave with an accelerometer to warn of the incoming S wave. The earthquake detection circuit can be constructed using the MPU6050 accelerometer and BMM150 magnetic field sensor, both connected to a Raspberry Pi Pico to utilise its powerful microcontroller that can also connect to an alarm system. This design shows a proof of concept for earthquake detection using magnetic field waves. Nevertheless, there are possible improvements such as using better sensors with less interference as well as progressing into using machine learning for detecting the earthquakes’ precursors which could help improve the design further