1. Wanted: Amateurs to help track earthquakes Teresa Diaz

2. Story Highlights Researchers are enlisting help from ordinary people to document quakes Scientist don’t have enough high-tech monitoring stations to track every temblor Anyone can participate by customizing laptops or installing quake sensors at home

3. California California- the most quake-prone state in the United States 10,000 temblors rattle Southern California alone, though most are too small to be felt

4. The Quake-Catcher Network Was launched this year to tap into the computing power of some 300 participants worldwide, including 50 volunteers in California Network relies on a sensor called an accelerometer to detect sudden motion.

5. How It Works? Volunteers download software that links their computers to others in the network and sends information about shaking to scientist through the internet Scientist scan incoming data only when the U.S. Geological Survey determines that an actual quake has occurred

6. NetQuakes Project The USGS is embarking on its own volunteer program by tapping homeowners willing to donate space in their basement or garage for a portable seismometer USGS operate a network of permanent stations, but it is limited by cost and other factors

7. To participate…….. Residents must have a wireless internet connection to allow the device to communicate with the USGS