Google is expanding its Android Earthquake Alerts System from 98 countries and regions to more than 200, including places such as Panama and Guatemala. Since launching in 2021, the system has sent over one billion alerts aimed at giving people time to act before strong shaking begins. In supported regions, Android users can receive one of three alert types: Be Aware for estimated light shaking, Be Ready for stronger shaking, and Take Action—a full-screen alert for moderate to heavy shaking with immediate safety advice. Google is also upgrading the Be Ready alert. In the coming months it will show a map with a radius of detected shaking, an estimated earthquake magnitude, actions users can take, and a button to learn more as information arrives. The expansion more than doubles geographic coverage of the phone-based detection network. Google has highlighted how alerts have helped people during recent earthquakes.
Google is expanding its Android Earthquake Alerts System from 98 countries and regions to more than 200, including places such as Panama and Guatemala. Since launching in 2021, the system has sent over one billion alerts aimed at giving people time to act before strong shaking begins. In supported regions, Android users can receive one of three alert types: Be Aware for estimated light shaking, Be Ready for stronger shaking, and Take Action—a full-screen alert for moderate to heavy shaking with immediate safety advice. Google is also upgrading the Be Ready alert. In the coming months it will show a map with a radius of detected shaking, an estimated earthquake magnitude, actions users can take, and a button to learn more as information arrives. The expansion more than doubles geographic coverage of the phone-based detection network. Google has highlighted how alerts have helped people during recent earthquakes.