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Google rolls out Public Alerts in Japan, to use Google Now, Search and Maps to warn of earthquakes, tsunami

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Emergency broadcasts on the radio or on TV are a thing of the past – people rely on the Internet for such things. For that reason, Google is bringing its Public Alerts international starting with Japan.

Earthquake and tsunami warnings for Japan will appear on Google’s Search page, Maps and even Google Now.

Google Search and Google Maps pages will provide warning banners with a More info link. In the event of a tsunami, all the information from the Japan Meteorological Agency will be available along with other info like observed arrival times and wave heights. Google Maps will also show the areas that are in danger.


Example alerts

Google Now can do even more – its location-sensing abilities will be put to good use and will, for example, point you to the nearest evacuation center.

Google has partnered up with 14 Japanese prefectures and cities to make government data easily available online and is looking to expand into other countries and add more warning providers to the list.

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