Google launches earthquake alerts system in Philippines

MANILA, Philippines — Technology company Google has launched in the Philippines its earthquake alerts system feature using Android mobile devices.

Google Philippines country director Bernadette Nacario said the system, which uses accelerometers in active Android smartphones to detect seismic activities, is part of their mission to bring helpful products and services to Filipinos.

“Our country, being located in the Pacific Ring of Fire, is prone to natural calamities and this update will play an important role in disaster preparedness and risk reduction,” she said.

“Our smartphones are indispensable in moments of crisis. We believe Android devices can help people be prepared and stay connected in times of need. We will continue to partner with the government, public safety officials and leading crisis response experts to better surface relevant information in times of adversities,” she added.

First launched in the United States, Greece and New Zealand, the Android Earthquake Alerts System alerts people about seismic activities via Google Search or the Android mobile device itself.

When user look up “earthquake” or “earthquake near me” on Google Search, they will find relevant results and helpful resources on what to do after an earthquake.

On the other hand, the Android device notification provides an early warning alert when accelerometers detect an earthquake in an area.

It sends a signal to Google’s earthquake detection server, along with a coarse location of where the shaking occurred.

The server then takes this information from many phones to analyze if an earthquake is happening, where it is and its corresponding magnitude.

On mobile devices, the Android Earthquake Alerts System displays two types of alerts depending on the magnitude and intensity of the earthquake.

The Be Aware alert is triggered when earthquakes with a magnitude of 4.5 or an intensity level of 3 or 4 occur. The notification is sent along with the distance of the earthquake’s epicenter.