MyShake is an app that detects earthquakes, sends an alert to a central processing center, and records acceleration waveform data. As more phones in the area download the app, the network detects the location and magnitude of an earthquake. Eventually, MyShake will send warnings to individual users. However, the MyShake app currently only provides earthquake reports. So, there is still a long way to go before it can effectively track seismic events.
The app is free to download, but users can register their phone for free. The researchers say the number of "active" MyShake phones is around 25,000, a number that peaked just two days after the app was launched. To be successful, MyShake needs to maintain the interest of users and keep their phones installed. It has a lot to do. Hopefully, it can grow. The next challenge for MyShake is to make the app available to as many people as possible.
MyShake has become an indispensable tool for people in affected areas. In the United States alone, the app has been downloaded more than 296,000 times. It has more than 40,000 active users, and more than 10,000 are using it on a weekly basis. In February, it recorded 757 earthquakes, including ones that occurred in the North Bay region of California. Fortunately, this app records earthquakes in nearly every continent. In addition to providing real-time information, MyShake has also made it easy for people to share their experiences with scientists.
