How to Enable Android Earthquake Alerts in India

Introducing Android Earthquake Alerts in India

Go to Settings > Select Safety and Emergency

Tap on Earthquake Alerts > Enable Earthquake Alerts

In India, Google has announced the introduction of its earthquake alert system for Android mobile phones. To detect earthquakes, the system uses smartphone sensors such as accelerators, which may function as miniature seismometers. The technology, created in collaboration with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and the National Seismology Center (NSC), would deliver early earthquake notifications for Android users in a region that is likely to be hit, the business announced on Wednesday. These notifications will be available in Indian languages supported by Android. Google stated that it identifies probable earthquakes via various Android phones that sense seismic activity in a region. According to the Google blog post, the notifications frequently reach a few seconds before the earthquake occurs.

How Android Earthquake Alerts System Works in United States

In the states of California, Washington, and Oregon, Google has established partnerships with the ShakeAlert® team to share earthquake alerts generated by their system. ShakeAlert uses a network comprising 1,675 seismic sensors to detect seismic activity, and it subsequently processes this data to ascertain the earthquake’s precise location and magnitude. Once this information is determined, the ShakeAlert® system sends a signal to the Android Earthquake Alerts System, which promptly relays earthquake alerts directly to Android users in the affected regions.

How Android Earthquake Alerts System Works in India

Beyond the United States, Google takes a different approach to detecting earthquakes. They use the sensors in smartphones, which can feel vibrations and motion, as a way to potentially spot when an earthquake might be happening. When a smartphone thinks it senses an earthquake, it sends a message to Google’s earthquake detection server along with a rough idea of where it felt the shaking. Google then checks this data from many phones to confirm if an earthquake is really occurring. This innovative method turns the more than two billion Android phones around the world into tiny earthquake detectors, creating the largest earthquake detection network globally. These phones are sensitive enough to notice even small earthquakes and quickly send alerts to Android users in the affected areas.

Google’s earthquake alert system relies on the accelerometers inside Android devices, which can detect the very beginning of an earthquake. These accelerometers are so sensitive that they can pick up on even minor tremors. When a device is plugged in and charging, it stays on the lookout for the first signs of an earthquake. If the phone senses anything that seems like an earthquake, it sends a message to Google’s earthquake detection service, along with a rough idea of where the shaking occurred.

Quick Tip for Android Users in India: Search “Earthquake Near Me” on Google

Earthquake detections can also be viewed on Google Search. Simply search for “Earthquake near me”

Open Google > Type Earthquake Near Me > Check Results

Google Sends Two Type of Alerts to Android Users

Android provides two type of alerts to alrt users about an earthquake. Both alert categories are only notified for magnitude 4.5 or greater earthquakes.

Note: Be Aware and Take Action are the two types of alerts that the company sends out. The “Be Aware” messages are sent to users who feel MMI 3 or 4 shaking during an earthquake of magnitude 4.5 or higher. If your phone is set to “Do Not Disturb” or “Silent,” it just shows an alert on the screen and doesn’t make any noise. The message also advises users on how to protect themselves, such as hiding beneath a table.

Be Aware Alert

1. It is intended to alert users to mild shaking and provide additional information when yusers tap the notification.
2. It is only provided to users who will experience MMI 3 & 4 tremors during an earthquake of magnitude 4.5 or greater.
3. Follow Do Not Disturb, and Notification settings.

Take Action Alert

1. It is intended to attract users attention prior to moderate to severe vibration so that users can take protective measures.
2. It is only sent to those who will experience MMI 5+ shaking during a magnitude 4.5 or greater earthquake.
3. Will bypass Do Not Disturb settings, activate the screen, and play a booming sound.

Two Kind Of Alerts from Google Earthquake Alert | Image Source: Google Crisis Response

How to Enable Android Earthquake Alerts in India

To enable Earthquake alerts on Android phone in India, Go to Settings on your phone > Tap Safety & emergency > Select & Enable Earthquake alerts.

Step 1: Go to Phone Settings

Open Settings on your Android Phone

Step 2: Select Safety and Emergency

Select Safety and Emergency

Step 3: Tap on Earthquake Alerts

Select Earthquake Alert

Step 4: Enable Earthquake Alerts

Enable Earthquake Alerts

Which Android devices are compatible for Android Earthquake Alerts

Android users with devices operating Android 5 or later will receive the feature. Users must have Wi-Fi or cellular data connectivity and enable both Android Earthquake Alerts and their location settings. In the device settings, those who do not wish to receive these alerts have the option to disable Earthquake Alerts.

Conclusion

Googles collaborative and innovative efforts could help Android smartphones to act as proactive seismic sensors, capable of detecting tremors and issuing alerts to users before an earthquake strikes. By utilizing the collective data from multiple devices, Google’s system can estimate earthquake characteristics like epicenter and magnitude, delivering timely notifications categorized as “Be Aware” for light shaking and “Take Action” for moderate to heavy shaking, all the way from MMI 5+ shaking with magnitude 4.5+. These alerts will be accessible in various Indian languages, aligning with Android’s language support, marking a significant step towards ensuring public safety and awareness in the face of seismic events. Additionally, Google’s provision of local seismic event information and safety measures through Google Search reinforces its commitment to serving as a valuable resource during times of crisis.

FAQs

How do I turn on Android earthquake alerts?

1. On your Android device, open Settings
2. Search: Earthquake alerts
3. Turn alerts on or off.

How do I get earthquake alerts on my Android?

In your Android phone, Be Aware and Take Action are the two types of alerts that a user will recieve.