How Google predicts earthquakes thanks to 2.5 billion Android smartphones in activity

The alert system in the event of an integrated earthquake in Android. Therefore, was screened by experts. Similarly, Its reliability surprises, but its accessibility is undoubtedly its best asset.

In 2020. Therefore, Google launched Android Earthquake Alerts, a detection and prevention system against earthquakes. Similarly, This program was criticized by experts and public security organizations. Consequently, It is criticized in particular a lack of reliability, and especially of transparency as to its operation. Similarly. Similarly, But a recent study published by the journal Science concludes that this alert how google predicts earthquakes how google predicts earthquakes thanks new thanks system can be very effective.

Accessible in 98 countries since about 2.5 billion Android smartphones, the Android seismic risk alert system first experienced some initial errors. Nevertheless, But he was corrected to become more relevant. However, He has generated more than 1,200 alerts in the past three years. Meanwhile, In 36 % of cases, Users were warned before shaking startallowing them to take shelter and take measures to protect themselves. In addition, 85 % of people alerted actually felt tremors.

Alerts according to the power of the earthquake – How google predicts earthquakes thanks new

On average. every month, Android Earthquake Alerts warns 18 million peoplefor around sixty alerts. The system is capable of detecting earthquakes of magnitude 1.9 and higher on the Richter scale, but only sends warning messages from a magnitude of 4.5. Otherwise, alerts would be too numerous, and users could pay less attention to it when the danger is real.

In the how google predicts earthquakes thanks new case of how google predicts earthquakes thanks light jerks. a simple message of vigilance is displayed by Android smartphones. In the event of a more serious situation. the alert appears in full screen on the device. with a red color to put forward the danger, all accompanied by a sound at high volume. Instructions are also indicated to take shelter: get closer to the ground. position yourself in a place capable of protecting us. and hold the position with one hand on the head and another to grab an object until the end of the seismic episode.

The Google system accesses real. time to accelerometers which are integrated into how google predicts earthquakes thanks new our Android smartphones. If in an area. all devices start to tremble suddenly at the same time, then we can establish that an earthquake is underway. The intensity of the shades measured by the accelerometers even allows Google to identify with a certain precision the. epicenter of the event.

Effective.. above all (almost) universal

“If the phone detects a suspicious event, it sends a signal to our seismic detection server, as well as approximate location of the locker. The server then combines information from several phones to determine if an earthquake is underway”explains Google.

“This approach uses the more than two billion Android phones used worldwide as a mini-seismometers to create the largest. seismic detection network. phones detect the vibrations. the speed of earthquakes of an earthquake and therefore alert Android users in how google predicts earthquakes thanks the affected areas”specifies the company.

One of the system defects, noted by how google predicts earthquakes thanks new the researchers, is that it requires the presence of Android mobiles to operate. Consequently, it shows serious limits on most medio-oceanic ridges (underwater mountain ranges). On the other hand. it is capable of calculating subduction phenomena (sinking from one tectonic plate under another) located dozens. even hundreds of kilometers from the coast.

Scientists who have analyzed Android Earthquake Alerts believe that it is not perfect. but that it is as reliable as other detection systems. And above all, it reaches an unrivaled scale, affecting more than 2.5 billion people, sometimes in remote regions that have access to no alternative.

In 2021, the Philippines were struck by an earthquake of magnitude 6.7. Users had received Android’s seismic alert on their smartphone at the right time. allowing them to take the lead and take shelter. Being informed how google predicts earthquakes thanks only a few seconds in advance can how google predicts earthquakes thanks new save lives.

Samsung would be developing a function for its devices leaving the user to personalize seismic alerts. It would be possible in particular to choose from what magnitude we receive a warning notification. Options to better react in the event of an earthquake would also be planned.