Earthquake detection and monitoring using smart utility meters

A network device comprising:

• an accelerometer configured to sense a ground acceleration proximate the network device;
• a magnetometer configured to sense a strength of a magnetic field proximate the network device;
• one or more processors;
• and
• a memory storing executable instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to:
• generate first metrology data based on the ground acceleration sensed by the accelerometer;
• generate second metrology data based on a magnetic field strength sensed by the magnetometer;
• determine that a condition indicative of an earthquake has been satisfied based on the ground acceleration sensed by the accelerometer;
• and
• in response to determining that the condition indicative of the earthquake has been satisfied, transmit a message that indicates that an earthquake has occurred to a server.

A method comprising:

• receiving, by a computing device, a first message that includes metrology data associated with ground acceleration at a first location from a first metering device;
• receiving, by the computing device, a second message that includes metrology data associated with ground acceleration at a second location from a second metering device;
• and
• determining, based at least on the ground acceleration at the first location and the ground acceleration at the second location, a characteristic of an earthquake.