Search users can now get useful and up-to-date information in the event of an earthquake by simply typing in the word “earthquake,” “earthquake near me,” or similar inquiries, right after they feel the shaking, reports the Verge.
Google said on Thursday that Search users will be shown a map of the earthquake that will tell them if the quake they felt was nearby or far away. There will also be useful information on how to avoid getting hurt in aftershocks or by buildings that may have been damaged in the quake.
“We hope that by displaying this result directly in Search, people will have fast and easy access to the information they need to stay safe in the face of an earthquake,” said Google software engineer, Chris Keitel in Google Inside Search
Those of us who use Google Search have discovered it literally provides a cornucopia of information on everything from word definitions to up-to-date information on presidential candidates. The candidates are able to input information directly into the search platform, giving their position on various issues.
But Google’s move is actually part of a growing trend among technology companies, focusing on creating features that users can access during emergencies. Facebook is a good example of this feature. They now allow users to mark themselves as safe in the event they are in a natural disaster or terrorist attack, according to The Hill.
Endgadget points out that earthquakes under a magnitude 2.5 won’t trigger the Search feature, and TechCrunch reports the USGS usually posts the data within minutes of a quake in the US, and that data gets to Google seconds later. In other parts of the world, however, it can take the agency up to 30 minutes to verify and post the information. Additionally, the results of the search will be in English, for now.
