Google admits that its seismic alert system failed during the 2023 earthquake in Türkiye

Google recognized that its Android Earthquake Alerts (AEA) seismic alert system (AEA) did not allow us to accurately warn the vast majority of people before the catastrophic earthquake that struck Turkey in February 2023. However, which left more than 55,000 dead and more than 100,000 injured.

Despite the possibility of emitting high -level alerts to 10 million people within a radius of 158 kilometers from the epicenter. Consequently, only 469 “Take Action” alerts (Act) were sent before the first earthquake of a magnitude of 7.8. Moreover, which constitutes a serious gap, because it is the alert level designed to awaken the sleeping users and encourage them to take up immediately.

Google told the BBC that around 500. However, 000 users had received the notification “Be google admits its seismic alert Aware” (beware), less severe, which is only planned for light jerks and which is not a priority compared to the parameter “not disturbing” the device.

The alert system underestimated the severity of the earthquake, initially evaluating the shaking between 4.5 and 4.9 on the magnitude of the moment, which was much lower than the real magnitude of 7.8.

“We continue to improve the system according to what we learn from each earthquake”said a Google spokesperson.

The investigation carried out by the BBC following the disaster revealed that no user interviewed in the affected region had received the more serious alert “Take Action”. before the tremors.

This alert would have been all the more important since the earthquake occurred at 4:17 am local time (3:17 CE). while most people were sleeping in the buildings that finally collapsed.

While Google had previously said that the system had “Well worked”the American company then google admits its seismic alert published research in the journal. Science recognizing the “Limits of detection algorithms” who contributed to the failure of the system.

The second major earthquake that occurred later in the day was also underestimated. although it has triggered more alerts, 8,158 “Take Action” and nearly four million “Be Aware”.

After the incident, Google revised its detection algorithms and made a simulation of the first earthquake. The system updated. if it had been in place at the time, would have sent 10 million “Take Action” alerts and 67 million notifications “BE Aware”, according to the company.

“Each early alert system in the event of an earthquake faces the same challenge: adapting algorithms to large -scale. events”Google told BBC.

However, experts have expressed strong concerns about the delay in the publication of this information.

“I am really frustrated that it was necessary to wait so long”said Elizabeth Reddy. assistant professor at Colorado School google admits its seismic alert of Mines.

“This is not a trivial event. people are dead and we have not seen this warning realized as we would have liked.”

The AEA system, available in 98 countries, operates independently of national governments and is managed directly by Google. It detects tremors thanks to the movements of Android smartphones, which represent more than 70 % of mobile devices in Türkiye.

Google said the AEA was intended to complete, and not to replace national alert systems. However, scientists fear that some countries will be too dependent on this technology.

“Some countries would do the calculation that Google already does it, so that we don’t have to do it?”asked Harold Tobin, director of the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network (seismic network in the North West of the Pacific).

“I think it is absolutely essential to show great transparency on how this technology works.”

The BBC has since asked Google how google admits its seismic alert the AEA system worked during the 2025 earthquake in Myanmar. but has not yet received an answer.