Google Working To Help Warn Users Of Earthquakes - Olmec Skip to main content

Google Working To Help Warn Users Of Earthquakes

By August 28, 2020May 5th, 2022Technology News

Unless you live within a couple hundred miles of the town of Sparta, NC, you may not be aware of the fact that recently, a 5.1 earthquake struck the area.

It damaged a few homes and rumbles could be felt as far away as north Georgia and parts of Virginia.

It is doubtful that the earthquake in North Carolina was the inciting event that prompted Google to announce a new earthquake detection and alert system on Android devices, but it is timely.

The system relies on the accelerometers that are built into all smartphones to detect signals for earthquakes. If one is detected, it will send a signal to Google’s detection server, along with the GPS location. The server combines all such notifications and use the aggregate data to confirm that an earthquake is indeed occurring.

In addition to that, the system will automatically send out an alert to all Android devices in the area so that the people carrying them can find cover or move to safety.

Marc Stogaltis, of Google, had this to say in a recent blog post about the matter:

Installing a ground network of seismometers, as California has done, may not be feasible in all impacted areas around the world. So we’re using the reach of Android’s platform to help detect earthquakes … this means your Android phone can be a mini seismometer, joining millions of other Android phones out there to form the world’s largest earthquake detection network.”

In addition to this, Google has plans to share data about areas impacted by earthquakes in the company’s search results. Right now, the system is being rolled out in the US, but in the months and years ahead, the plan will be to roll out a similar system for other parts of the world.

This is an outstanding development, and kudos to Google for doing their part to help keep all of us safe.

Chris Forte

Chris Forte, President and CEO of Olmec Systems, has been in the MSP workspace for the past 25 years. Chris earned his Master’s Degree from West Virginia University, graduating Magna Cum Laude. He was a past member of the Entrepreneurs’ Organization, a current member of the New Jersey Power Partners and Executive Association of New Jersey, where he has previously served on its board of directors. In his spare time, Chris enjoys traveling with his family. He also admits to being a struggling golfer and avid watcher of college football and basketball. He currently lives in Boonton Township, NJ with his wife, two daughters, son, and black lab Luna.