Between 2021 and 2024, Google utilized motion sensors on over two billion mobile phones to detect earthquakes and send automated warnings to millions in 98 countries. The analysis published in Science demonstrates that over 11,000 quakes were detected, with performance comparable to traditional seismometers. Since launching a crowd-sourced system in 2020, accessibility to alerts has increased tenfold. Experts commend the technology but emphasize the need for greater transparency and access to data for public officials, despite Google’s commitment to operating within privacy constraints.
Technology from Google has successfully captured over 11,000 earthquakes using motion sensors on mobile phones, demonstrating performance comparable to standard seismometers.
Since 2019, access to earthquake alerts for the public has increased tenfold due to Google’s mobile-based alert system, promising better safety in regions lacking such services.
Experts express concern about the need for public officials to access more information regarding the proprietary technology before fully relying on it for earthquake alerts.
Despite challenges related to user privacy, Google scientists affirm their commitment to transparency about how the earthquake detection system operates and performs.
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