Earthquake Warning From Google Tembus 790 Million Times, More Accurate Than Estimated

Android Earthquake Alert has sent earthquake alerts nearly 790 million times (photo: x @JvShah124)

JAKARTA - Google announced that the Android Earthquake Alert system has sent earthquake alerts nearly 790 million times to users worldwide. This feature is now available for nearly 2.5 billion Android users globally and has detected more than 2,000 earthquake events since it was first launched.

Introduced for the first time in 2020, the Android earthquake warning system utilizes an accelerometer sensor already installed on each Android phone. This sensor detects suspicious vibrations or movements.

The data is then sent to Google servers for analysis. If many devices in the same area report similar vibrations, the system will calculate the estimated strength and epicenter of the earthquake, then send an early warning to users in the affected areas.

Google divides the types of warnings into two:

Take Action Alert: Given if it is expected a moderate to strong shock will occur, asking users to take shelter immediately.

Be Aware Alert: Given for weak to light shaking, aims to increase vigilance.

According to Google, this system has helped save millions of lives. One example is when the earthquake rocked the Philippines in November 2023. A total of 2.5 million users received warnings before they really felt the shock.

When Nepal was hit by an earthquake measuring 5.7 in the same year, the system sent more than 10 million alerts, with the first warning delivery time only 15.6 seconds after the earthquake occurred.

This feature has also begun to be available on smartwatches that support WearOS, extending the reach of early warning systems to more users.

Google claims that their system now has a high level of accuracy. The absolute median error value of the initial estimate of magnitude is only 0.25, making it more accurate than many traditional seismic networks.

Google also states that they are continuing to improve the system to make it faster, more accurate, and reach more people in various parts of the world.