Automatic seismic wave detector and valve controller

A valve controller device for controlling a set of one or more solenoid valves, the valve controller device comprising:

• an accelerometer for making acceleration measurements in three directions comprising acceleration measurements in a vertical direction;
• a processor configured to:
• receive a first plurality of acceleration measurements made by the accelerometer;
• use the first plurality of measurements to determine an arrival of seismic primary waves (P-waves) when a ratio of vibrations' power in the vertical direction with respect to a vector sum of the vibrations' power in the three directions exceeds a first threshold;
• receive, after determining the arrival of the P-waves, a second plurality of acceleration measurements made by the accelerometer;
• use the second plurality of measurements to determine an arrival of seismic secondary waves (S-waves) when the vector sum of the vibrations' power in the three directions exceeds a second threshold;
• receive, after determining the arrival of the S-waves, a third plurality of acceleration measurements made by the accelerometer;
• use the third plurality of measurements to determine an arrival of seismic surface waves when the vector sum of the vibrations' power in the three directions exceeds a third threshold, the third threshold larger than the second threshold;
• and
• after determining the arrival of the surface waves, generate one or more signals to close the set of solenoid valves.