The Quake-Catcher Network is an initiative run by the University of Southern California that aims to use computer-based accelerometers to detect earthquakes. It uses the BOINC volunteer computing platform (a form of distributed computing, similar to SETI@home).
It currently supports mobile devices (smartphones and some tablets/laptops) that have a built-in accelerometer. It also supports three external USB devices currently - the codemercs.com JoyWarrior 24F8, the ONavi sensor, and the MotionNode Accel.
In 2011, project scientist Elizabeth Cochran was awarded a Presidential Early Career Award from US President Barack Obama in large part due to her founding of the Quake-Catcher Network project.
References
Quake-Catcher Network Wikipedia(Text) CC BY-SA