How to Enable Earthquake Alerts on iPhone

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Get notifications for seismic activity in your area
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If you live in California, Oregon, or Japan, you have the ability to enable earthquake alerts. These alerts come when an earthquake occurs and shaking in your area is imminent. If you do not live in any of these areas, you can still receive alerts through a free app by University of California Berkeley called MyShake. This wikiHow will show you how to enable earthquake alerts on iPhone. [1] [2]

Seismic activity releases primary (P) waves and secondary (S) waves. The P waves travel much faster (at about the speed of sound) than S waves and seldom cause any damage; hence if one is detected an earthquake is likely in progress. Secondary waves cause most earthquake-related injuries and damage. Using information from multiple sensors and the fact that light travels faster than sound, earthquake early warning systems can provide anywhere from a few nanoseconds to tens of seconds of warning before shaking strikes . This time is enough for automated systems to perform actions that minimize damage and for everyone to prepare for strong shaking.

Enabling iPhone Earthquake Alert

If you live in California, Oregon, or Japan, open Settings and choose Notifications. Scroll down and toggle "Government Alerts" and/or "Public Safety Alerts" to "on." If you live elsewhere, download the "MyShake" app and enable notifications and location services.

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

In California, Oregon, or Japan

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    This app has a settings gear on a gray background.
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    Look for the section called "Government Alerts".
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    This will enable all emergency alerts, including earthquake and tsunami alerts.
    • You will receive notice of earthquakes with a magnitude 5.0 or higher and seismic intensity 4 (on Mercalli scale in California) or 5-/5 lower (on Shindo scale in Japan).
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Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

With an iPhone App

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    Open the App Store
    iPhone App Store Icon
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    .     This app has an A on a blue background.
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    This will open up the search page.
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    Then click on Search .
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    This will download the MyShake app to your iPhone.
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    This app has a network of circles connected with lines.
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    In order for you to use the app to view or receive earthquake alerts, you must accept the licensing agreement.
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    This is required in order for the app to function. Without it, you will not receive alerts when strong tremors are imminent.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT202743
      2. ↑ https://myshake.berkeley.edu/

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