New tool to detect quakes in 30 seconds

TAIPEI: A research team at Taiwan's top university has developed a low-budget device that can detect earthquakes within 30 seconds, enough time to issue a crucial disaster warning, the lead inventor said yesterday.

The tiny metal tool can report an oncoming quake's speed and acceleration in time to estimate its magnitude and warn trains to slow down or natural gas companies to cut supplies, said Wu Yih-min, a researcher in geosciences at Taiwan University.

The device is more accurate than similar technology used overseas and could cost as little as T$10,000 ($300) once it reaches the market, said Wu, whose team has worked on the project for five years.