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Google Introduces: Android Devices Will Become Earthquake Detectors Israel today

2020-08-12T11:57:58.183Z


| Technology NewsThe technology giant has unveiled a system that turns every phone into a seismograph that will detect and warn of earthquakes anywhere in the world • And there is also an Israeli angle Photo: AP Earthquakes occur daily around the world, with hundreds of millions of people living in earthquake-prone areas. This morning (Wednesday) Google launched a new system that will turn Android devices into ...


The technology giant has unveiled a system that turns every phone into a seismograph that will detect and warn of earthquakes anywhere in the world • And there is also an Israeli angle

  • Photo: AP

Earthquakes occur daily around the world, with hundreds of millions of people living in earthquake-prone areas. This morning (Wednesday) Google launched a new system that will turn Android devices into the largest earthquake detection network in the world and warn against them.

Early warning can help people prepare for them, but the establishment and deployment of public infrastructure aimed at predicting and alerting the public to an earthquake involves high costs.

How It Works?

Google notes that not all earthquake-prone areas around the world can install a ground network of seismometers, as California did. Therefore, the Android platform, which is within reach, can help detect earthquakes.

Our phone, based on the Android operating system, can actually be used as a mini-seismometer device and join millions of other phones to create the largest earthquake detection network in the world. Smartphones come with tiny accelerometers (accelerometer sensors) that can sense signals that indicate an earthquake that may occur.

"If the phone detects an earthquake, it sends a signal to Google's earthquake detection server, along with a general location of the quake. The server then combines information collected from many phones to see if an earthquake does occur," the company said. , And added: "In fact, at this point, the information passes at the speed of light (about the speed at which signals are transmitted from telephones) and competes with the speed of the earthquake. Fortunately, the speed of light is much faster."

Initially, this technology will be used to more quickly and accurately share the affected area in Google search results. When you search for "earthquake" or "earthquake in a place close to me", you will find results relevant to your area, along with helpful information on what to do after an earthquake.

Step One: Send earthquake alerts in California

The system will be phased in, with Google initially collaborating with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the California Governor's Emergency Services Office (Cal OES) to send ShakeAlert earthquake alerts directly to Android devices in California.

The ShakeAlert system, developed by leading seismologists in the state, uses signals from more than 700 seismometers installed across the California by the USGS, Cal OES, the University of California, Berkeley and the California Institute of Technology. A few seconds of warning can make a significant difference in that they allow you to prepare for the impending earthquake.

Google notes that they have worked with global experts in seismology and disasters: Dr. Richard Allen, Dr. Chingkai Kong and Dr. Lucy Jones to develop this network approach to earthquake detection around the world. The excellent seismometer that already exists there.Over the next year, the activity will expand to many more countries where Android-based earthquake detection will be used.

Source: israelhayom

All tech articles on 2020-08-12

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