Latest news with #AndroidEarthquakeAlertsSystem
Hans India
28-07-2025
- Hans India
How to Enable Google's Earthquake Alerts on Android Phones and Why It Can Save Lives
Earthquakes remain one of the most unpredictable and dangerous natural disasters, occurring around the world every single day. In high-risk zones such as the Delhi-NCR region—where minor tremors are frequent due to the ongoing tectonic activity between the Indian and Eurasian plates—being alerted even seconds before a quake hits can make a life-saving difference. Understanding this urgency, Google has developed a vital safety feature for Android smartphones: the Android Earthquake Alerts System. This built-in system uses your phone's sensors to act as a mini-seismometer, detecting ground movement and working in tandem with data from nearby devices to determine whether an earthquake is occurring. Here's how it works: if your phone picks up unusual motion—suggesting seismic activity—it sends the data and your approximate location to Google's servers. When similar signals are reported from enough devices in the same area, Google confirms an earthquake and immediately issues alerts to nearby users. This real-time system aims to give users a few seconds to act—seconds that could be crucial for safety. The feature is available on all Android devices running version 5.0 or higher, making it accessible to millions of users across the globe. Importantly, the system doesn't require any third-party apps or installations. It's integrated directly into your phone's settings. There are two types of alerts users might receive: · Be Aware Alerts: These are issued for moderate shaking, typically magnitude 4.5 and above. · Take Action Alerts: These are sent in the case of stronger quakes. They override your phone's normal settings—including Do Not Disturb—and trigger loud sounds and urgent notifications to prompt immediate safety measures. In parts of the United States such as California, Oregon, and Washington, Google has further enhanced this feature by integrating it with the ShakeAlert network. This system relies on a network of over 1,600 ground-based seismic sensors to feed accurate data into Android's alert system, enabling even quicker and more reliable warnings. How to Enable Earthquake Alerts on Your Android Device Activating the Earthquake Alerts feature is simple. Follow these steps: 1. Ensure your device is running Android 5.0 or higher. 2. Turn on your phone's location services and make sure you have an active internet connection. 3. Open the Settings app on your phone. 4. Navigate to Safety & Emergency. If it's not visible, go to Location and then tap Advanced. 5. Look for Earthquake Alerts in the menu. 6. If the toggle is off, switch it on. Once activated, you'll receive alerts even when you're not actively using your phone, giving you critical seconds to take cover. Whether it's ducking under a sturdy table, helping others to safety, or simply moving away from windows or heavy objects, these seconds could be the difference between harm and safety. While earthquakes can't be prevented, technology like this helps us be better prepared. Google's Android Earthquake Alerts System is a meaningful example of how everyday devices can contribute to personal and community safety in times of crisis.
India Today
28-07-2025
- India Today
Earthquake alert on Android: How to enable on phones and why it matters
Earthquakes strike daily across the globe, often without warning. The Delhi-NCR region is also relatively on red alert, with tremors occurring frequently, sometimes even multiple times a month. While many of these quakes are minor and cause no damage, the northern Indian region is susceptible to both near-field and far-field earthquakes, because the region is located near the boundary where the Indian tectonic plate is colliding with the Eurasian plate. Now we cannot stop natural disasters, but technology can help us stay alert and find a safe place in time. And to alert users about an earthquake, Google has a dedicated notification system for Android phone users,advertisementGoogle has developed the Android Earthquake Alerts System for Android smartphones. For this feature, the company uses users' smartphones as mini-seismometers that detect earthquakes and provide early warnings to users. When combined with data from other devices, it can quickly estimate the location and magnitude of an case a phone detects unusual movement, it sends data, along with its rough location, to Google's servers. When enough devices from the area pick up similar signals, the system confirms an earthquake and pushes alerts to users in affected areas. In regions like California, Oregon and Washington, Google has also partnered with the ShakeAlert network, which uses over 1,600 seismic sensors to detect earthquakes. These sensors feed data into Android's system, which then delivers warnings to nearby Google sends two types of alerts to Android phonesBe Aware Alerts: For lighter shaking (magnitude 4.5+).Take Action Alerts: For stronger shaking. These notifications also break through your phone's settings, do not disturb settings and start loud sounds and urgent alerts so that you can move to safety to enable earthquake alertsTo turn on the Android Earthquake Alerts System on your Android phone, follow these you begin:–Make sure your phone is running Android 5.0 or higher.– Ensure you have an active internet connection and location services enabled.– After that, tap the settings icon on your phone and go to Safety & Emergency.– If you don't see it, open Location instead and tap Advanced.– Here look for Earthquake Alerts in the menu.– If the switch is off, turn it enabled, you will receive alerts even if you're not actively using your phone, giving you precious seconds to act. Even a few seconds of warning can make a huge difference. It gives you time to drop to the ground, take cover under sturdy furniture, and protect your loved ones.- Ends
NDTV
28-07-2025
- Science
- NDTV
Google Admits Alert System Failure During Turkey's 2023 Earthquake
Google's Android Earthquake Alerts System (AEA) failed to accurately warn people ahead of the 2023 Turkey earthquake, which killed more than 55,000 people and injured over 1 lakh, the tech giant has admitted. The twin quakes, measuring 7.8 and 7.5 in magnitude, flattened buildings across southeastern Turkey and northern Syria in the early hours of February 6, catching millions asleep. Despite being live and operational at the time, the system underestimated the severity of the first 7.8-magnitude quake, the BBC reported. According to Google, only 469 "Take Action" alerts (its highest-priority warnings) were sent out, even though up to 10 million people within 160 km of the epicentre were eligible to receive them. Instead, around half a million users were sent a lower-level "Be Aware" warning, which is designed for light shaking and does not trigger loud alerts or override 'Do Not Disturb' settings. The system runs on Android devices, which make up over 70 per cent of mobile phones in Turkey, and is meant to detect ground movement via sensors in smartphones and quickly notify users before the strongest shaking arrives. During the quake, Google's detection algorithm estimated the shaking at between 4.5 and 4.9 on the moment magnitude scale, which was far below the actual 7.8 magnitude. "We continue to improve the system based on what we learn in each earthquake," a Google spokesperson told the BBC, after months of scrutiny. The company previously claimed the system "performed well." The quake struck at 04:17 am, when most people were asleep and unaware of the impending danger. The "Take Action" alert, which produces a loud, intrusive alarm, would have been crucial in waking users and giving them time to seek safety. But in the months following the disaster, BBC researchers were unable to find a single person in affected areas who received this critical alert before the quake hit. Google researchers later published findings in the journal Science, acknowledging "limitations to the detection algorithms." For the second large quake later that day, the system did perform somewhat better, sending 8,158 Take Action alerts and just under four million Be Aware notifications. Following the disaster, Google improved its algorithm and re-ran a simulation of the first earthquake. This time, the system would have sent out 10 million Take Action alerts and 67 million Be Aware alerts. The AEA system is now active in 98 countries, and Google claims it has been improved based on learnings from Turkey's quake.
News18
28-07-2025
- General
- News18
World News Live Updates: North Korea rejects diplomatic overtures from South Korea
Live now Last Updated: From geopolitics to climate, tech to social change, News18 World live blog delivers real-time updates on what is the latest from around the globe News18 Jul 28, 2025 09:03 IST Scientists warn of enduring toxic legacy from 2021 Sri Lanka ship disaster The environmental fallout from the 2021 X-Press Pearl cargo ship disaster off Sri Lanka has a far more enduring and toxic legacy than initially assessed, with scientists now confirming persistent and widespread contamination, BBC says in a report. The primary pollutants are billions of pre-production plastic pellets, known as nurdles, and hazardous chemicals which continue to degrade into microplastics. This ongoing contamination poses a significant long-term threat to marine ecosystems and biodiversity, severely impacting the livelihoods of local fishing communities through reduced and contaminated fish stocks. The disaster has also created a substantial economic burden for Sri Lanka, which is still pursuing full compensation for cleanup and damages through complex legal proceedings, while the incident prompts calls for stricter international maritime regulations on transporting hazardous materials. Jul 28, 2025 09:03 IST Israeli strikes in Gaza reportedly kill 63 amid deepening hunger crisis Israeli military strikes in Gaza have reportedly killed 63 people, with attacks occurring even in designated 'safe zones' despite declared tactical 'pauses' in fighting, according to a report in Al Jazeera. The humanitarian situation continues to worsen, as health officials in Gaza reported that six more Palestinians, including two children, have died from malnutrition and dehydration. These events compound a severe and deepening hunger crisis that humanitarian agencies have warned is pushing the population toward famine. Jul 28, 2025 09:03 IST Green algae proliferation threatens French oyster industry A significant proliferation of green algae in Brittany's Morlaix Bay is posing a direct threat to the local oyster industry, according to a report in France 24. The algal blooms, primarily fed by farm waste and nitrogen fertilizers from the region's intensive agriculture, are creating adverse conditions for oyster farming. This long-standing environmental issue, which also impacts local tourism and public health, is reportedly being exacerbated by the effects of global warming, threatening the economic livelihoods of France's oyster farmers. Jul 28, 2025 09:03 IST Google acknowledges its earthquake alert system failed to warn millions in Turkey Google's Android Earthquake Alerts System (AEAS) sent only 469 serious warnings ahead of the 7.8 magnitude earthquake in Turkey, failing to alert millions of people, BBC says in a report. While the system detected the quake, Google acknowledged its performance was limited by the event's depth and complex rupture, which hindered its ability to assess the magnitude in real-time and issue critical 'take action' alerts on a mass scale. The incident has prompted Google to review its system's algorithms and has raised significant questions about the reliability of AI-driven public safety systems. This failure underscores the need for multi-layered disaster preparedness strategies that combine supplementary tech solutions with traditional government-operated seismic networks and may impact public trust in smartphone-based warning systems. Jul 28, 2025 09:03 IST US and EU announce new trade framework The United States and the European Union have announced a new trade framework from Edinburgh, Scotland, as per a report in AP. The report did not include specific provisions or details of the agreement. Jul 28, 2025 09:03 IST Deadline passes on CK Hutchison's US$23 billion global ports sale The deadline for exclusive negotiations regarding CK Hutchison Holdings' US$23 billion sale of stakes in 43 global ports to a consortium led by Terminal Investment Limited (TIL) passed without an agreement on Sunday, according to a report in the South China Morning Post. The complex transaction, which includes strategically vital ports at both ends of the Panama Canal, is reportedly being complicated by intense US-China geopolitical rivalry. Analysts expect that the talks will be extended, as the deal faces scrutiny due to US national security concerns over foreign influence in critical infrastructure, despite the buyer, TIL, being an affiliate of the Swiss-Italian Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC). Jul 28, 2025 09:03 IST China designates 'drone flight planner' as official profession amid economic push China has officially recognized 'drone flight planner' as a new profession to address a talent shortage in its rapidly growing low-altitude economy, according to a report in the South China Morning Post. The announcement was made by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security and is part of a larger government strategy to develop the low-altitude sector as a new engine for economic growth. This new designation is one of 17 new occupations announced, which also include roles like cross-border e-commerce operation manager, signaling a shift in labor market demands toward high-tech and specialized skills. Jul 28, 2025 09:03 IST US and China reportedly planning autumn visit for President Trump US President Donald Trump is reportedly keen to visit China in the autumn of 2025, with officials working to arrange a trip for October or November, the South China Morning Post said in a report. While hurdles remain in the bilateral relationship, high-level officials from both Washington and Beijing are said to share a consensus on the need for the visit. The report clarifies that a potential trip in September to attend a parade in Beijing commemorating the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II will not be happening. Jul 28, 2025 09:03 IST Alibaba enters AI smart glasses race with Quark preview Alibaba Group Holding has entered the competitive smart glasses market by previewing its first AI-powered device, the Quark AI glasses, at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai, South China Morning Post said in a report. Named after the company's AI assistant, the glasses' development is complete, with an official launch planned for later this year. The move places Alibaba in direct competition with global tech giants like Apple, Meta, and Google, as well as domestic rivals such as Huawei and Xiaomi, in the growing market for smart wearables and edge AI devices. The unveiling at China's largest annual AI event highlights the country's strategic push for leadership in artificial intelligence and its application in consumer technology.
Business Upturn
22-07-2025
- Climate
- Business Upturn
Delhi-Haryana experiences another earthquake, second in 20 days
By Aditya Bhagchandani Published on July 22, 2025, 10:02 IST Residents of Delhi and Haryana were rattled early Tuesday morning (July 22) as a 3.2 magnitude earthquake struck Faridabad in Haryana at around 6 am, according to the National Center for Seismology (NCS). Tremors were felt across Delhi-NCR, though there were no immediate reports of injuries or damage to property. The earthquake occurred at a shallow depth of 5 km below the surface, with its epicentre at latitude 28.29°N and longitude 72.21°E, the NCS reported. This is the second earthquake to hit the region in just 20 days. On July 10, a 4.1 magnitude quake was recorded near Jhajjar in Haryana, close to Rohtak, at around 9:04 am, sending residents across Delhi, Gurugram, Faridabad, Noida, and other NCR cities rushing out of buildings in panic. That event, too, did not result in significant damage but highlighted the seismic sensitivity of the area. Why is Delhi prone to earthquakes? The Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) notes that Delhi lies in Seismic Zone 4, which is considered a high-risk zone. Its proximity to the Himalayan Belt, one of the most seismically active regions in the world, contributes significantly to the earthquake threat. The city sits near the boundary of the Indo-Australian Plate and the Eurasian Plate, where frequent tectonic movements occur. Additionally, the Delhi-Haridwar Ridge, a geological feature of the Indian Plate running beneath Delhi, can trigger intra-plate tremors, which, though smaller, are still strong enough to be widely felt. On July 10, the Android Earthquake Alerts System quickly notified users of the quake seconds after it struck. Residents reported feeling shaking for several seconds, which rattled furniture and swayed buildings. Safety advisory Authorities have urged residents to remain calm and adhere to earthquake safety guidelines. People are advised to avoid elevators, stay away from fragile structures, and move to open spaces in case of further tremors. Officials continue to monitor the situation closely and will provide updates if necessary. Ahmedabad Plane Crash Aditya Bhagchandani serves as the Senior Editor and Writer at Business Upturn, where he leads coverage across the Business, Finance, Corporate, and Stock Market segments. With a keen eye for detail and a commitment to journalistic integrity, he not only contributes insightful articles but also oversees editorial direction for the reporting team.
