Google Earthquake alerts for Android

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#2716416 31-May-2021 22:16

These Google alerts don't seem to be that accurate, the one I got came in at 5.2 when infact geonet registered 4.2, same as last week Google said 4.2 and geonet reported 3.2.

Had a touch of the cloth moment when I read 5.2 quake "expect shakes" only to check geonet and sure enough.

Oblivian

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#2716417 31-May-2021 22:18

Dial111: These Google alerts don't seem to be that accurate, the one I got came in at 5.2 when infact geonet registered 4.2, same as last week Google said 4.2 and geonet reported 3.2.

Had a touch of the cloth moment when I read 5.2 quake "expect shakes" only to check geonet and sure enough.

USGS based data network + mobile accelerometers.

Different (or some shared) array of sensors. And a different scale for working the averages. Geonet have a better clasp on the automation and error correction/averaging.

Oblivian

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#2716418 31-May-2021 22:24

Managed to screen it before it vanished into the fold this time for those in an area with less frequent shaking

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#2716420 31-May-2021 22:43

Oblivian: Managed to screen it before it vanished into the fold this time for those in an area with less frequent shaking

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#2716422 31-May-2021 22:48

Dial111: These Google alerts don't seem to be that accurate, the one I got came in at 5.2 when infact geonet registered 4.2

Yes, I was well disappointed, I was sitting down when I got the alert, and kept waiting for it, but didn't feel a thing. Makes sense when it was only a 4.2, and 45km away, but would have definitely felt it if it was a 5.1

robjg63

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#2716486 1-Jun-2021 07:47

I dont think you should be too worried about the accuracy - Its supposed to be an early warning - and sounds like its working quite well in that respect.

Geonet frequently adjust up or down after more information is gathered after the event.

Wonder how you check if you have it installed?

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Oblivian

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#2716487 1-Jun-2021 07:53

If it's android 6+, gets official google updates, and updated play services

You got it.

Deployed same as covid framework

Look under google services settings, it shows as something you can opt out

indapie2000

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Master Geek
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#2716554 1-Jun-2021 09:05

robjg63:
I dont think you should be too worried about the accuracy - Its supposed to be an early warning - and sounds like its working quite well in that respect.

Geonet frequently adjust up or down after more information is gathered after the event.

Wonder how you check if you have it installed?

For me it was automatic (Pixel 5)
You can check it under location settings, then advanced.

robjg63

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#2716555 1-Jun-2021 09:09

Samsung Galaxy A5 (2017) running android 8.0.0

Most recent Samsung update November 2020 - Don't think there will be any more.

All apps are up to date.

I can see the Covid-19 Exposure Notifications under the Google services - but no sign of anything that looks like earthquake warnings.

Guess I am not going to get it..... 😒

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Fred99

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#2716569 1-Jun-2021 09:35

Oblivian:

Dial111: These Google alerts don't seem to be that accurate, the one I got came in at 5.2 when infact geonet registered 4.2, same as last week Google said 4.2 and geonet reported 3.2.

Had a touch of the cloth moment when I read 5.2 quake "expect shakes" only to check geonet and sure enough.

USGS based data network + mobile accelerometers.

Different (or some shared) array of sensors. And a different scale for working the averages. Geonet have a better clasp on the automation and error correction/averaging.

The issue is that the accelerometers detect acceleration - not "magnitude" (calculated energy release).

I don't believe that the google alert system uses data from geonet or USGS, just accelerometers on phones.

Both of the quakes in Chch that triggered the google alert were shallow (ie ~ 10km depth), thus peak ground acceleration is relatively high, that's what the system reacted to. It was practically instantaneous to triangulate the approx epicentre, but a lot of number crunching is needed to estimate focal depth and magnitude.

As an early warning system, IMO it worked very well. In both Chch quakes the alerts arrived on my phone within a second or so of first feeling the shakes. Even after allowing for the time delay for the S waves to arrive, the alert was very fast indeed.

For the quake last night, Geonet's first report of the quake on their website was about 2 minutes after the event. Yes - I checked and refreshed.

If we took for example the Kaikoura quake, epicentre was about 120km North of Chch. The alert would have given about 20 seconds or more warning. Same with the inevitable Alpine Fault quake - or any other major event at a reasonable distance but still potentially damaging at that distance, including quakes which may trigger a tsunami.

A failing with the "drop cover hold" system is that in a large quake, that's all you can do - moving yourself to a "safe place" is pretty much impossible once the shaking starts. An early warning system is good.

Groucho

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#2716697 1-Jun-2021 13:29

indapie2000:
For me it was automatic (Pixel 5)
You can check it under location settings, then advanced.

Dito Nokia 6.1 (running Android One), Settings / Location / Advanced / Earthquake Alerts. Took a screenshot of what I found. Then saw the 'See a demo' button - naturally clicked it - and in about half an hour my heartbeat should have recovered to a resting pulse after the full volume alert notification I wasn't expecting.

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cshwone

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#2716714 1-Jun-2021 14:15

robjg63:

Samsung Galaxy A5 (2017) running android 8.0.0

Most recent Samsung update November 2020 - Don't think there will be any more.

All apps are up to date.

I can see the Covid-19 Exposure Notifications under the Google services - but no sign of anything that looks like earthquake warnings.

Guess I am not going to get it..... 😒

Samsung A50 > Settings > Location and in Location Services > Earthquake Alerts, On

Probably similar for the A5 if it is there at all

robjg63

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#2716730 1-Jun-2021 14:41

Found it!

On the Galaxy a5 (2017) its under:

Settings > Connections > Location - at the bottom of that screen is a section that says "Location Services"

One of the items under that is "Earthquake alerts".

Looks like its all turned on and ready to go. Really hope I don't need it - but it sounds as though it could give you a few seconds head start if the worst happens.....

Nothing is impossible for the man who doesn't have to do it himself - A. H. Weiler