Google, an Internet giant, has recently announced its plans to launch a new earthquake alert system in India. The new service utilizes technology present in Android smartphones to detect seismic activity and gauge the severity of earthquakes. This announcement was made public by Google on Wednesday.

This initiative called the 'Android Earthquake Alerts System' is being rolled out in India, following consultations with National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and the National Seismology Centre (NSC) of the country. Google stated, 'In collaboration with the NDMA and NSC, we are unveiling the Android Earthquake Alerts System in India today. With the initiation of this service, we are endeavoring to provide auto early warning alerts to Android users when an earthquake strikes their vicinity.'

The earthquake alert system, as per the company's statement, will be compatible with Android 5 and succeeding versions of the operating system. The company added, 'In the upcoming week, the Android Earthquake Alerts System will be available to all Android 5+ users in India.'

The service operates using miniature accelerometers found in Android smartphones which can function as tiny seismographs. When a phone is connected to power and charging, it can identify the initial tremors of an earthquake. If numerous phones concurrently detect earthquake-like tremors, the server can use this data to predict an earthquake, and infer details related to it, like its epicenter and intensity. Following this, the server can distribute alerts to nearby smartphones.

Google highlighted that internet signals, traveling at the speed of the light, can often transmit alerts several seconds before the onset of intense shaking caused by an earthquake. The company said, 'In India, we have been diligently working with NDMA to deliver useful safety information relevant to natural calamities like floods and cyclones on Google Search and Maps. We are pleased to further strengthen our alliance with NDMA and NSC in bringing the Android Earthquake Alert system to India.'

This system has been successfully implemented in several countries across the globe, offering people early warning alerts as soon as the earthquake shaking commences. Google takes pride in its endeavor to harness modern technology for the safety and welfare of the people.

It should be noted that the content of this article, apart from the headline, has not been altered by NDTV staff and is sourced from a syndicated feed. Today, the innovative blend of technology and safety measures culminate in such initiatives which aim at securing human lives from unforeseen natural disasters.