Google has expanded its disaster warning system for Android, which is set to launch globally next year, with seven more countries last month. And on July 24, in the Philippines, users benefited from earthquake alerts, receiving a warning on their phones seconds before they felt the tremors.

A 6.7-magnitude earthquake with its epicenter in the Tingloy region shook the Philippines in the early hours of Saturday, with tremors lasting “almost a minute” and waking some people, according to Reuters. Shortly after the incident, users went to Reddit and Twitter praise Android's disaster alert system.

But kudos to android/google's notification about the earthquake. It was accurate as hell! After receiving that notification, seconds after lumindol nga. Huhsush keep safe everyone!

— weng (@sunlightmirae) July 23, 2021

“Kudos to Android/Google for the earthquake notification. It’s very accurate! I got the alert seconds before the tremors. Stay safe.”

Another earthquake tweet here:

Im super amazed with how on point the phone emergency notification on Android earthquake alert system is.

Literally heard the notification. Read it and 10 seconds later I feel it #earthquakePH pic.twitter.com/v2ZhbaekmZ

— ian m. (@Volitudo) July 23, 2021

“Another earthquake tweet here: I am amazed at how accurate the emergency notification is on the earthquake alert system on Android phones. I literally heard the notification. I read it and ten seconds later I felt it #PhilippinesEarthquake.”

How Android's Earthquake Alert System Works

The disaster alert system works by using the accelerometer in Android devices, which can detect the initial P seismic waves of an earthquake. The phone then sends a city-level location to Google's earthquake detection server. This tremor report is verified, and then a loud audible notification is sent to the phones, with a map of the earthquake's range and magnitude, seconds before the more destructive S seismic waves arrive. The alert also provides basic safety tips in the event of an earthquake: duck, seek shelter (under a table, for example) and wait for the tremors to pass.

Google has created the “world’s largest earthquake detection network” with its disaster warning system, using technology and sensors that are already widely available. And where there are established seismometer networks (such as in California and the US West Coast), Android also sends government alerts to mobile devices.

Google is currently implementing its alert system in countries with high seismic activity, such as the Philippines, which is located in the Pacific Ring of Fire. The company's plan is to implement the disaster warning system globally next year.

Through which channels you reach those people, classic and out of the box. 9to5Google