Japanese App Helps Spread Earthquake Warning

submitted by Samuel Bendett

Homeland Security Newswire - April 27, 2011

After the 9.0 magnitude earthquake and tsunami ravaged Japan, hundreds of thousands of people have signed up for a new emergency warning app for their iPhones; when an earthquake is predicted to hit, the iPhone app, called Yure Kuru, will send out an alert and let subscribers know when the quake is coming, where the epicenter is located, and how bad the shaking will be; the app was developed by Tokyo based RC Solution Co., which specializes in mass alert systems and spreading information in the event of an emergency; since the 11 March earthquake, the company's subscribers have sky rocketed from 100,000 to more than 1.5 million

After the 9.0 magnitude earthquake and tsunami ravaged Japan leaving more than 14,000 dead and nearly 13,000 missing, hundreds of thousands of people have signed up for a new emergency warning app for their iPhones.

When an earthquake is predicted to hit, the iPhone app, called Yure Kuru, will send out an alert and let subscribers know when the quake is coming, where the epicenter is located, and how bad the shaking will be.

The app was developed by Tokyo based RC Solution Co., which specializes in mass alert systems and spreading information in the event of an emergency.   According to Akira Kuriyama, the president of RC Solution, smart phone technology has played a critical role in the development of a cheap way to quickly disseminate information to large populations.

“Emergency quake warnings began several years ago, but the equipment to receive them was quite expensive,” he said.   “We wondered if there wasn’t a cheaper and easier way to provide this service, and we thought of smartphones.”   Since the 11 March earthquake, the company’s subscribers have sky rocketed from 100,000 to more than 1.5 million.

Kuriyama said, “We’re very happy to be of service.”   He added, “Among other things, there still isn’t a lot of understanding about the quake warning. If our app helps more people learn about this, and increases their safety, we’ll be pleased.”

The app was released in late 2010 and relies on an advanced earthquake warning system developed by Japan’s Meteorological Agency and railway firms.   When an earthquake is about to hit, the app will flash a warning on a user’s screen indicating that an earthquake will hit in approximately ten seconds and at what magnitude. Subscribers have the option to set the magnitude at which the alarm will sound.

While ten seconds may not sound like a lot of time, Japan’s early warning system has proven invaluable in saving lives and minimizing damage.

Japan’s earthquake warning system can provide as much as thirty seconds of advance warning depending where the epicenter is located, giving officials enough time to slow down trains so they do not derail, allow residents to duck and cover, prevent planes from taking off or landing, and allow factories to shut down dangerous equipment.

http://homelandsecuritynewswire.com/japanese-app-helps-spread-earthquake-warning