Google announced the launch of an earthquake alert system for Android devices in India. The system uses smartphone sensors such as accelerometers, which can act as mini seismometers and detect tremors.
The system, developed in consultation with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and the National Seismology Center (NSC), will provide early earthquake alerts to Android users in the potentially affected area, the company said on Wednesday. These alerts will be available in local Indian languages supported by Android.
The company sends out two types of alerts: Be Aware and Take Action. “Be careful” alerts are sent to users who experience MMI 3 and 4 vibrations during an earthquake of magnitude 4.5 or greater. It only displays an alert on your screen and doesn’t make any sound if your phone is on Do Not Disturb or on silent mode.
Google said alerts are sent to users who experience MMI 5+ shaking during a 4.5 magnitude earthquake. In this case, the alert will override your system notification settings, including Do Not Disturb, and will sound loudly.
The alert also suggests users action they can take for safety, such as hiding under a table.
Google said it detects a possible earthquake through several Android phones indicating seismic activity in an area. The company claims that alerts often arrive several seconds before vibrating.
In 2020, Google introduced Android-powered earthquake alerts for people in California. Users must be using a phone running Android 5 or later and have a Wi-Fi or cellular data connection. To get earthquake alerts, users also need to enable location settings on their devices.
Users can start getting earthquake alerts by passing through Settings > Safety & emergency Earthquake alerts. Alternatively, they can also enable earthquake alerts through it Settings > Location > Advanced > Earthquake Alerts.
Google is already issuing AI-powered flood alerts for all Indian regions. The company started Flood alert pilot In Patna, the capital of the Indian state of Bihar, in 2018. It later expanded flood warnings to include all of India in 2020.