Brinco: New device predicts earthquake, tsunami

Washington, Jul 16: A new device that you can keep in your house can warn you when an earthquake or tsunami is detected in the local area.

The Brinco - a small, round, flat, metallic cylinder - is a networked seismic warning and monitoring system with an accompanying mobile app.

The Brinco connects to an international seismograph network and is able to provide users with voice, flashing light and alarm alerts when an earthquake or tsunami is detected in the local area.

Brinco can provide five, ten, even 30 seconds or more notice of when an earthquake will hit your home or office. Tsunami warnings can arrive up to several hours in advance.

When the network detects the initial first wave of an earthquake that is relatively nondestructive, the information is relayed to the Brinco and an alert delivered.

From the initial detected wave, it is possible to calculate when the second, more destructive slow waves will hit and, thus, the warnings can be tailored.

If only a slight tremor is detected, a yellow light is shown with the voice message, "Slight tremor expected in xx seconds. No damage expected."

A dangerous quake triggers a red light accompanied by the voice message, "Earthquake expected in xx seconds. Take cover or go outside now."

The accompanying mobile app allows users to receive alerts even when they are away from home. It also allows them to view earthquake activity at home, 'Gizmag' reported.

Each Brinco is also a seismograph. The devices collect seismic information for their location and send it to national and regional seismic networks around the world, as well as the Brinco network itself.

The more Brincos that are deployed, the more accurate and powerful the Brinco network will become.

Brinco is currently seeking crowdfunding on Indiegogo. The devices are expected to begin shipping in July 2016.

PTI