Android's earthquake warning system now covers more than 200 countries and regions, up from 98. The system, which launched in 2021, has already sent over one billion alerts and is designed to give people a few seconds of warning before shaking starts. Those seconds can be enough to take cover and protect yourself and your loved ones. Panama and Guatemala are among the new locations.

The Android Earthquake Alerts System is, in Google's words, “the world's largest mobile-based earthquake detection network.” Its purpose is to make early warnings possible at scale. Google is also improving its “Be Ready” alert so it gives users more information within seconds of an earthquake.

When an earthquake occurs in a region where alerts are active, Android users can see one of three alerts, each matched to the expected level of shaking:

• Be Aware: A straightforward alert for estimated light shaking, letting you know an earthquake has been detected nearby.
• Be Ready: A detailed alert for stronger shaking, telling you to prepare to take action.
• Take Action: A full-screen alert for moderate to heavy shaking, giving you immediate advice on how to stay safe.

The “Be Ready” alert is getting new guidance. In the coming months, it will show a map with a radius of where shaking has been detected, the estimated earthquake magnitude, actions you can take, and a button to learn more about the earthquake as information comes in.

Google says it is grateful to bring more information to more people when they need it most, and that it hopes its physical safety products are never needed.

Key Features at a Glance

• Expanded coverage: Alerts now operate in more than 200 countries and regions, up from 98, so more Android users in new locations can receive warnings.
• Alert volume: Over one billion alerts have been sent since the system launched in 2021, showing its scale in practice.
• Be Aware alert: Covers estimated light shaking and tells you an earthquake has been detected nearby, so you know something is happening before stronger shaking arrives.
• Be Ready alert: Used for stronger shaking and tells you to prepare to take action, giving you time to get ready.
• Take Action alert: A full-screen warning for moderate to heavy shaking, with immediate advice on staying safe.
• Shaking radius map: Coming in the next few months, this shows the area where shaking has been detected, so you can judge how close the event is.
• Magnitude and actions: The upgraded “Be Ready” alert will show estimated magnitude and suggested actions in the same notification.
• Live learn-more button: A button will let you read more about the earthquake as new information arrives.

Availability

The expanded system is live now in more than 200 countries and regions, and the improved “Be Ready” alert with its map, magnitude estimate, action guidance and learn-more button is coming in the next few months. The announcement does not give a specific date for the update or a price, since the system is a free safety feature. To check whether alerts are active where you live, see Google's support page on where the system is active. More details on the system are at the Android Earthquake Alerts System site, and Google's Crisis Resilience white paper covers how it is helping communities prepare for earthquakes and other natural disasters.