Google brings Earthquake Alerts for Android phone users in India

Earthquakes are one of the most common natural disasters in the world, and an early warning can be pivotal in helping people prepare and get themselves and their loved ones to safety. To keep users safe, Google developed the Android Earthquake Alerts System, which uses sensors in Android smartphones to detect and estimate earthquakes. This is already deployed in many countries around the world to provide people around the world with an early warning when earthquake shaking begins.

Now, in consultation with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and the National Seismology Center (NSC), Google is introducing the Android Earthquake Alerts System in India. Through this launch, Google aims to provide Android users automatic early warning alerts when there is an earthquake in their area.

Each Android smartphone is equipped with tiny accelerometers that can act as mini seismometers. When a phone is plugged in and charging, it can detect the very beginnings of earthquake shaking. If many phones detect earthquake-like shaking around the same time, Google’s server can use this information to estimate that an earthquake may be happening, as well as characteristics of the event - like its epicenter and magnitude.