Google Earthquake Alert System Failed to Warn Millions During  Turkey Earthquake: A Global Wake-Up Call

Natural disasters are always catastrophic, and hence early warning signs are a matter of life and death. One of the most powerful natural disasters is an Earthquake that comes without notice, unlike storms and floods. At this crucial time, real-time alerts play an essential role. However, Google’s Android Earthquake System (AEA), which is designed to serve as a digital safety alert system, failed in one of the most devastating quakes of 2023 in Turkey. The system not just failed, it basically failed to do what it was meant to do.

Google Accepted Failing to Alert People in 2023 Earthquake

Turkey was rocked by two massive earthquakes on February 6, 2023. The magnitude of first earthquake was 7.8 on the Richter scale, claiming more than 55,000 lives and more than 100,000 were injured. Despite such a massive disaster, Google’s AEA system failed and didn’t alert people beforehand and nearly 10 million people living within 98 miles of the epicenter lost everything.

Google accepted that only 469 individuals received the highest-level alerts that triggered the loud alarm. The feature bypasses the Do Not Disturb feature on Android smartphone. Nevertheless, half a million population in Turkey just received ‘Be Aware’ warning which is meant for light shaking. This ‘Be Aware’ warning didn’t bypass the silent mode and Do Not Disturb mode.

At 4:17 AM, when the earthquake hit, most people were asleep, and only a “Take Action” alert could have effectively woken them up.

How Google’s Android Earthquake Alerts Are Supposed to Work

The Google’s Android Earthquake Alert System works in a very unique way as it collects data from thousands of Android smartphones. These android devices work and act as a seismometers that detects movement identify patterns in real-time. These patterns then report significant shaking and hence Google’s servers determine the likely epicenter and magnitude of the earthquake and then issues alert.

Google Accepts Mistake

Recently, Google informed the BBC that its system didn’t work during the Turkey earthquake and hence a Google spokesperson later acknowledged the issue, stating, “We continue to improve the system based on what we learn in each earthquake.”

Although that claim indicates that Google is working on rectifying and improving its AEA systems, the effects of the fiasco in Turkey were disastrous. The earthquake strength has been misestimated, which led to the delay in sending timely and high-level warnings and costing human lives.