Google’s Earthquake Alerts System was disabled in Brazil after a false alarm was triggered at 2 am, warning of a potential 5.5 magnitude quake. The system, which leverages smartphone sensors to detect tremors, has had mixed results since its inception in 2020. Google is investigating the cause of the false alarm and has apologized for the inconvenience to users.
Google has temporarily disabled its Android Earthquake Alerts System in Brazil following a false alarm incident last night. The system, launched in 2020, utilizes the sensors in Android smartphones to detect earthquake activity, specifically the preliminary “P-wave,” which provides early warning before the more damaging “S-wave” arrives. This system has seen a mix of successes and failures since its inception, with notable alerts issued during a 2021 quake in the Philippines while lacking alerts in a serious earthquake in Turkey in 2023, despite Google’s assurance of its functionality.
In the early morning hours of today, Android users across Brazil received a notification warning of a potential earthquake measuring up to 5.5 on the Richter scale. The cause of the false alarm remains undetermined, and Google has stated it is investigating the matter. The company articulated that the Android Earthquake Alert System serves as a supplementary measure for quick assessment of earthquake vibrations and does not supplant official alert systems. They noted: “On February 14, our system detected cellphone signals near the coast of São Paulo and triggered an earthquake alert to users in the region.” As a result of this incident, Google has determined to disable the alert system in Brazil pending further investigation.
The recent malfunction of Google’s Android Earthquake Alerts System in Brazil, which resulted in a false alarm for an earthquake, underscores the challenges faced by technology in providing reliable emergency notifications. The company is currently investigating the cause of the erroneous alert and has opted to disable the system temporarily. Google remains committed to refining its tools for better future performance and user experience.
Original Source: 9to5google.com
