Earthquake Buddy is a $4.49 app that reports the user's location in the event of an earthquake.

It allows users to enter the details of up to four friends or family members, and if the phone is in an area affected by an earthquake of magnitude 5.5 or greater an email including a Google map of the phone's location is sent to those 'buddies'.

The email is sent from a server, as mobile networks often fail after an earthquake.

Earthquake Buddy also offers messaging via SMS, Twitter or Facebook.

Other features include 'flashlight' functionality, tips for earthquake situations, and provision for recording a video or audio message in case you are not found.

Adam Wells, CEO of Australia-based The App Collective which developed Earthquake Buddy, said "We were astonished to learn that most rescue services are often flummoxed at where to start finding missing victims of large earthquakes."

It has been endorsed by Professor Ed Blakely, who led the Hurricane Katrina recovery.

"The app's ingenuity, coupled with the harnessing of community engagement, makes this the best rescue app in the world," he said.

An Android version of Earthquake Buddy should debut in the near future.Earthq