Google has developed a groundbreaking earthquake alert system that leverages Android smartphones to detect seismic activity, reaching over 2.5 billion people across 98 countries since its launch in 2020.

Continuous improvements to the detection algorithms have enhanced the system's accuracy, making it comparable to established early-warning networks like ShakeAlert and Japan's earthquake early-warning program.

Currently, alerts are available in 98 countries and territories, focusing on regions with historical seismic risks that lack existing early-warning infrastructure.

The system has expanded rapidly, providing alerts to more people than traditional systems, which typically reach around 300 million, and has detected over 11,000 earthquakes with a high match rate to conventional seismic catalogs.

As of March 2024, the system issued alerts for 1,279 seismic events with only three false alarms, prompting ongoing algorithm updates to improve reliability.

The accuracy of magnitude estimates has significantly improved, with errors decreasing from 0.50 to 0.25, aligning its performance with national warning networks.

Research published in Science highlights the system's limitations, including variability in performance based on earthquake magnitude and the density of smartphones in affected areas.

Beyond early warnings, this technology can help identify unknown geological faults and support post-earthquake assessments, offering a broader benefit to seismic risk management.

Data analysis shows the system has captured over 11,000 earthquakes, with 85% matching traditional seismic data, demonstrating its reliability.

During significant events like a magnitude 5.7 quake in Nepal, users received warnings up to 60 seconds before feeling shaking, showcasing its potential to save lives.

User satisfaction remains high, with 85% rating alerts as 'very helpful' and 84% trusting the system more after using it.

Seismologists emphasize the importance of transparency and call for more access to data and algorithms for independent verification of the system's efficacy.