Google’s Android Earthquake Alerts System is a free service that provides early warnings to people when earthquake tremors are detected.
To enable this feature on your Android phone, follow these steps:
- Open the Settings app on your phone.
- Search for “Earthquake alerts” in the search bar.
- Turn on the toggle button for Earthquake Alerts.
- Ensure that your location settings and Wi-Fi/cellular data connectivity are enabled.
Once you have enabled this feature, you will receive notifications on your phone when an earthquake occurs in your vicinity. You can also download third-party apps such as MyShake or Earthquake Alert! for additional safety measures.
How does it work?
The Android Earthquake Alerts System uses the phone’s sensors to detect tremors and sends notifications to users before severe shaking occurs. To receive alerts, you must have Wi-Fi and/or cellular data connectivity, and both Android Earthquake Alerts and location settings enabled.
When a device is plugged in and charging, the phone’s accelerometer sensors detect the very beginnings of earthquake shaking.
If many devices detect earthquake-like shaking around the same time, Google’s server uses this information to estimate that an earthquake may be happening, as well as characteristics of the event – like its epicenter and magnitude.
The system then sends alerts to nearby phones through the internet. Google said internet signals travel at the speed of light, much faster than the propagation of earthquake shaking through the ground, so the alerts often reach phones several seconds before severe shaking does.
What is the accuracy of earthquake alerts?
The accuracy of earthquake alerts depends on various factors such as the location of the earthquake, the magnitude of the earthquake, and the distance between the user and the epicenter.
According to a study by the United States Geological Survey (USGS), earthquake early warning detection is more effective for minor quakes than major ones.
The ShakeAlert Earthquake Early Warning system, operated by USGS, detects an earthquake that has already started and estimates its location, magnitude, and shaking intensity. If an earthquake becomes large enough to meet USGS alert thresholds, a ShakeAlert Message is issued.
However, correct alerts are not expected to be the most common outcome even when the earthquake magnitude and location are accurately determined.
It’s important to note that ShakeAlert is not an earthquake prediction system but rather an early warning system that provides alerts to people and systems that may experience shaking prior to the occurrence of shaking at their location.
How can I test if it works on my phone?
To test if the Android Earthquake Alerts System is working on your phone, you can try the following steps:
- Install the app MyShake from the Google Play Store.
- Open the app and tap Settings.
- Turn on Test Mode.
- Tap Test to simulate an earthquake alert.
If you receive a notification, then the system is working correctly on your device. You can also test the feature by shaking your phone vigorously to simulate an earthquake.
Can I get alerts for other natural disasters too?
Yes, you can receive alerts for other natural disasters as well. Google’s Public Alerts system provides warnings for a variety of natural disasters, including hurricanes, floods, and wildfires.
To enable these alerts, follow these steps:
- Open your device’s Settings app.
- Tap Apps & notifications.
- Scroll down and tap Google.
- Tap Emergency alerts.
- Turn on the types of alerts you want to receive.
You can also download third-party apps such as MyShake or Earthquake Alert! for extra safety.