Covering the people, projects and phenomena of citizen science
Blog: Citizen Science Projects, People, and Perspectives
Citizen Science takes a bite out of Natural Disasters
By Eva Lewandowski, Aug 02, 2016
Photo:USFWS
Collectively, your small acts lead to big results.
Natural disasters, like earthquakes, tornados, and landslides, are frightening and deadly. There are small, but important, steps citizen scientists can take to help predict and respond to these occurrences.Our editors have selected five exemplary projects, below. Be sure to read the safety warnings when applicable.
By linking computers from across the world, this project forms a huge earthquake monitoring network. Schools can also purchase seismic sensors to use for teaching kids about earthquakes.
Storm spotters are needed throughout the United States to report severe weather like tornadoes, hail, and thunderstorms to the National Weather Service. This information helps people in your community stay safe!
Observant volunteers from across the United Kingdom are needed to report floods of all sizes. Make an observation and help study the causes and management of flooding.
Pictures of landscapes over time can document the impacts of events like drought or fire. You can use your smartphone or GPS-equipped camera to photograph and upload pictures of a landscape near you.
Landslides are both dangerous and costly. If you see a landslide in the United States, you can report it to the US Geological Survey, the government agency that studies them.
Eva Lewandowski is the Citizen-based Monitoring Coordinator for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, where she coordinates a statewide citizen science network. She has a PhD in Conservation Biology from the University of Minnesota and is an active volunteer.
