TAIPEI — Earthquake-warning smartphone apps have surged in popularity in Taiwan due to high demand from people eager to get a few extra seconds to take cover after more than 1,300 aftershocks rattled the island in April following a large temblor.
Taiwan’s east coast was struck by a 7.2-magnitude quake on April 3, killing 17 people.
The frequent aftershocks since then — including more than 200 tremors in a 24-hour period starting on April 22 — have unnerved many.
While the Taiwan government has an automated quake-warning system, sent in the form of a text message accompanied by a loud alert meant to sound a few seconds before the shaking starts, its effectiveness can be patchy. In the capital Taipei, it did not sound before the April 3 quake, prompting criticism of the system.
That, and the rising demand to stay more informed about forthcoming earthquakes, have led to a surge in popularity in privately developed quake-warning apps.
READ SOURCE
