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In 2020, Google introduced a unique and revolutionary technology, the Android Earthquake Alert (AEA) system. It was specially designed for people living in earthquake-prone areas. Compared to traditional earthquake warning networks with expensive and limited reach, this feature is not only affordable, but according to scientists, it is also very accurate, as it does not require any dedicated seismic station.

So far, the AEA system is covering more than 2.5 billion people.

Within three years, Google's system will be active in 98 countries and cover more than 2.5 billion people. This system uses the accelerometer sensors of smartphones, which detect vibrations. This data is sent to Google's server, which then decides whether an earthquake has occurred or not.

What did the study published in the Science Journal find?

A study recently published in the journal Science found that Google's Android Earthquake Alert system is as effective as traditional seismic networks. "The AEA demonstrates that smartphones around the world are capable of detecting earthquakes and issuing warnings at scale, and that the system is comparable to existing national-level technologies," the researchers wrote. Although smartphone sensors are not as sensitive as traditional seismic instruments, they are still able to accurately detect geologic vibrations.

How effective are the alerts?

Between 2021 and 2024, the system recorded 312 earthquakes with an average magnitude of 1.9 to 7.8 in 98 countries.

About 85% of users who received an alert shared it with others.

Of these, 36% received the alert before the quake, 28% during the quake, and 23% after the quake.

An animation video showed how phones continued to detect the vibrations, and Google's servers sent an alert during a 6.2 magnitude earthquake in Turkey.

How does the system work?

According to Google, as soon as an Android phone's accelerometer sensor detects any unusual vibration, it immediately sends an alert to Google's earthquake detection server. The server then takes data from other smartphones in the area and combines it to determine if an earthquake is happening. If confirmed, the system rapidly sends alerts, allowing users to get a few seconds of warning in advance. Google says it has more than 2 billion Android devices that act like mini earthquake detectors, making it the world's largest earthquake detection network.

Disclaimer: This content has been sourced and edited from Amar Ujala. While we have made modifications for clarity and presentation, the original content belongs to its respective authors and website. We do not claim ownership of the content.