Google Has Expanded Its Android-Based Earthquake Detection System

Google is expanding its Android-based earthquake detection and alert system. Starting today, the program, launched last year in California, will also be available in Greece and New Zealand.

The company relies entirely on its products to both detect earthquakes and alert people.

Android devices first recognize the waves caused by an earthquake. Google then analyzes the data from the smartphones and sends an early warning to users in the area where there is increased seismic activity.

They will be notified automatically unless they opt out of the service. When Google began this work, it partnered with the U.S. Geological Survey and the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Management. Subsequently, the feature has expanded to Oregon and will be launched in Washington, D.C., in May.

Earthquake detection works because virtually every smartphone has an accelerometer capable of detecting primary and secondary earthquake waves, acting as a mini seismometer.

Combining millions of Android smartphones will form the world’s largest earthquake detection network.

However, there are some limitations to this feature.

For example, people who are closer to the source of an earthquake probably won’t receive alerts in advance. However, their smartphones will help alert those farther away, giving them time to get away.

It’s no secret that Android is the leading mobile operating system, so this feature has tremendous promise for development.

Eventually, Google will be able to develop an API based on its earthquake detection system.

Other systems will be able to use it to alert and prevent the consequences of other emergencies.