Google on Tuesday announced the launch of its earthquake alert system in Pakistan, aimed at detecting seismic activity that can help people prepare for an impending emergency.
“The Android Earthquake Alert System is a cost-effective, helpful Android feature that detects earthquakes and alerts people around the world. It uses sensors in Android smartphones,” the search engine giant said in a statement.
The system provides almost instant information to Google Search. “When people see ‘earthquake’ or ‘earthquake near me’, they will find relevant results as well as helpful resources on what to do after an earthquake,” the statement said.
It added that users who do not wish to receive alerts can turn off notifications in the device settings.
“Pakistan has experienced several earthquakes in the past especially in the northern and western parts of the country. With the expansion of this earthquake alert system, Android users in Pakistan can receive automatic early warning alerts that alert them to emergencies. Helping you stay prepared.”
According to Google, depending on the magnitude and intensity of the earthquake, the system displays two types of alerts.
A feature called “Be aware” alerts people when earthquakes of a magnitude of 4.5, or a magnitude of 3 or 4 on the MMI scale, are sent. Notifications are sent along with the distance to the earthquake’s epicenter. Alert to the phone Uses current volume, vibration and do not disturb settings.
Conversely, another key feature called “Take Action” is a full-screen alert for earthquakes with a magnitude greater than 4.5, or a magnitude of 5 and above on the MMI scale.
“To help people prepare for potentially heavy aftershocks, full-screen instructions are shown and the phone makes a loud noise.”
The Android earthquake alert system was first introduced in New Zealand and Greece.
It is now available in more countries, including Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Philippines, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, the United States and Uzbekistan, the statement said.