Android Earthquake Alerts Now Available Across All 50 States, 6 US Territories (droid-life.com) 29
Google's Android Earthquake Alerts System, initially launched in 2020, is now available in all 50 U.S. states and 6 territories. Droid Life reports: For users in California, Oregon and Washington, users will continue to have their alerts powered by the ShakeAlert system, utilizing traditional seismometers to detect earthquakes. For all out states and supported territories, "this expansion uses the built-in accelerometers in Android phones to bring another layer of preparedness and potentially life-saving information to people across every state," the company explained in a blog post.
Using the accelerometer to sense vibrations and an apparent earthquake, the system quickly analyzes the crowdsourced data to determine if an earthquake is occurring. Google says it has been working with many experts to continue the system's improvement. Depending on the severity of the earthquake, you'll get two types of notifications. A little pop up on your screen if it's pretty weak with light shaking or a complete screen takeover for moderate to extreme shaking. These are called Take Action alerts, complete with the classic drop, cover, and hold instructions.
Using the accelerometer to sense vibrations and an apparent earthquake, the system quickly analyzes the crowdsourced data to determine if an earthquake is occurring. Google says it has been working with many experts to continue the system's improvement. Depending on the severity of the earthquake, you'll get two types of notifications. A little pop up on your screen if it's pretty weak with light shaking or a complete screen takeover for moderate to extreme shaking. These are called Take Action alerts, complete with the classic drop, cover, and hold instructions.
I'm sure transit bus riders will get these five... (Score:1)
I got both alerts (Score:3)
Right before the last earthquake I felt in SoCal, I got the Google alert about 5 seconds before the shake alert warning. I'd assumed it was just because I have 2 cell providers on my phone.
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I recently had an earthquake alert go off just in time for me to abort a porcelain cruise. True story.
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And here's how you opt-out (Score:3)
This article [zdnet.com] has instructions on how to opt-out of the crowdsourced data gathering. Perhaps you live somewhere that isn't prone to earthquakes and prefer that your device send slightly less information about everything you're doing to Google.
Also, you can opt out of the alerts too. That's your own call. Personally, I don't need my phone telling me disaster is coming when there's nothing I can realistically do about it anyway. Here in Florida we frequently get severe storms and the alerts don't tell you anything you couldn't already figure out from the flashing lightning and booming thunder - get your ass indoors.
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Perhaps you live somewhere that isn't prone to earthquakes and prefer that your device send slightly less information about everything you're doing to Google.
Near real time traffic information is super useful in any city though, so long as at least some people participate.
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Near real time traffic information is super useful in any city though, so long as at least some people participate.
That's not based on information your phone sends to Google.
It's based on aggregate information your cellular provider sends to Google.
Re: And here's how you opt-out (Score:2)
Re: And here's how you opt-out (Score:4, Insightful)
5-10 seconds warning for a storm is pretty useless. For an earthquake it can literally save lives. Keep in mind the data gets used for more than just warning humans. There's lots of heavy equipment that uses it too.
Re: And here's how you opt-out (Score:5, Informative)
In a few seconds:
1. Fire station doors automatically open so they don't jam shut.
2. Gas valves at industrial sites automatically shut off.
3. Seismic damping devices in highrises can pre-tension.
4. Forklifts can lower their loads
5. An alarm can warn warehouse workers to move away from the pallet racks.
6. Toll booths can shut down so no more vehicles go onto the bridge or into the tunnel.
7. Surgeons and nurses in operating rooms can pause and stabilize the patient.
8. Mass transit trains can begin braking.
9. Elevators can stop on the nearest floor and open their doors so no one is stuck inside.
10. Factory and construction workers can down tools and move to safety.
11. Emergency generators can start.
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Individuals can get to a safe area. Under a table/desk is good, or failing that a doorway. If you go outside make sure you aren't near any buildings or other things that could drop heavy stuff like tree branches on you.
In Japan there are tsunami warnings as well. Back in 2011 people didn't evacuate quickly enough, the message didn't get out. With the Noto one at the start of this year the message was spread very quickly via TV, radio, phones, and local loudspeakers. One of the newscasters on NHK spent an en
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Spot on! The things you listed are critically important to reduce the impact an earthquake can have on a large number of aspects of our lives, many of which we don't consider important until they aren't available. "Earthquake warning" should conjure images of gas mains burning in the streets, derailed trains, loss of power across entire townships. Instead, many envision themselves standing in their house and wondering which door frame to stand in.
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Florida, it figures
Yeah, and we don't get earthquakes in Florida. [wfla.com] So in Florida an earthquake warning feature is as useless as tits on a bull.
There's also a few other areas in the USA with extremely low likelihoods of experiencing quakes, so it's not unreasonable people might want to turn the feature off if it isn't serving a useful purpose where they live.
Re: And here's how you opt-out (Score:3)
Obligatory xkcd (Score:3)
https://xkcd.com/2219/ [xkcd.com]
Earthquakes are a popular theme for xkcd. The one above fits TFA best IMHO.
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I'd go with https://xkcd.com/723/ [xkcd.com]
Works with iOS too.
A flaw in the plan (Score:1)
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"Using the accelerometer [in a MOBILE phone] to sense vibrations and an apparent earthquake"' - please take plenty of time to think about this one, m'kay? - Anyway, this is rather useless unless the phone is sitting on a night stand and even then how would it tell the difference between an earthquake vibration or little Chuckums throwing a tantrum in the next room after his Mario died?
RTFA
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how would it tell the difference between an earthquake vibration or little Chuckums throwing a tantrum
They obviously aren't sending an alert based on one phone.
They're aggregating data from thousands of phones and only sending a warning when they move in unison.
How do I disable it completely? (Score:1)
I could care less if an earthquake happens, and even less if it kills people. If its worth so much to you, then send me money.
Quibble with wording re: territories (Score:2)
Re: Quibble with wording re: territories (Score:3)
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