Google Expands Android Earthquake Alerts to the entire US and six territories. Feature first launched in 2020Using the US Geological Survey’s (USGS) ShakeAlert system to send alerts to California, Washington, and Oregon. The expansion will use built-in accelerometers, a tool that senses vibrations in Android phones, to provide early warnings.
The Android Earthquake Warning System it will then look at the crowd data to determine if an earthquake has occurred. If an earthquake is recorded at a magnitude of 4.5 or higher, you will receive either a “Be warned” or “Take action” alert. The first warns you that there is a slight tremor, but a stronger tremor may occur. Take Action is a call to seek immediate protection as moderate or extreme shaking is expected. The system will also provide information on how to proceed after the earthquake is over.
Google has teamed up with leading earthquake experts to improve the Android Earthquake Alert System. “Earthquake alerts on your device reduce the interruption of milling and checking that often occurs during crises when people waste valuable time seeking confirmation from unreliable sources,” he said. Dr. Jeannette SuttonProfessor at the University of Albany specializing in disasters, risk and public warnings. “Expanding this system improves public safety during earthquakes by providing important information to more users.”
Along with Google, it also introduces a number of new features Earthquake Warningincluding offline Maps on your Wear OS smartwatch. The update allows you to access maps you’ve downloaded to your phone directly from your watch. You can also use Search Circle to identify music playing on social media or on speakers near you.
