Devastating earthquakes shook several countries, including Nepal, Afghanistan and Chile in 2015. A 6.7 magnitude earthquake struck Manipur, India, Jan. 4, 2016, and yet another quake measuring 6.9 on the Richter scale with its epicentre at 74km SE of Mawlaik, Burma, struck Wednesday at 13:55:17 UTC (7:25 p.m. IST).
With no technology available to predict earthquakes to date, a number of apps have been developed to help users during quakes, whether in the form of an alert or help communicate to near and dear ones after such an event.
Here are five free earthquake alert apps you can use:
This free earthquake alert app is only for Android devices. It shows users of tremor measuring 1.0 and above on the Richter scale from the U.S. and a magnitude of 4.5 and above quakes from all over the World. It has got 4.3 stars out of 5 from reviewers.
This app is available for iOS, Android and Windows phones. It helps track where a person through the use of GPS technology. One can update others in a group called circles where he or she is up to. There is an emergency button that will help in times of need.
It is a quake application based on multiple data sources. The user can get the latest earthquake information immediately 17 earthquake data sources, including U.S.Geological Survey, EU Mediterranean Earthquake Centre, Ger Potsdam Earthquake Center, Taiwan Central Weather Bureau, Japan Meteorological Agency and others.
Earthquake -American Red Cross
The app alerts the user when an earthquake takes place. It lets family and friends know you are fine with the customisable "I'm Safe" alert for Facebook, Twitter, email and text even if the power is out.
This free app developed by the University of California, Berkeley, is for iOS devices. It alerts earthquakes that happen near your area and measure the intensity among other quake related information.
