Google Search shakes things up with earthquake summaries

Earthquakes might not be a part of your daily life, but the US Geological Survey estimates that somewhere in the neighborhood of 500,000 earthquakes occur on planet Earth each year, and that nearly a fifth of these are strong enough to be appreciated by humans. Since this natural phenomenon (and occasional disaster) is such a common one, Google has integrated earthquake information into Search.

Now when you search for “earthquake,” in addition to getting fun things like the definition of the word, you’ll also get an at-a-glance summary about any significant earthquakes currently going on in the world. “Earthquakes near me” will narrow this criteria in much the same way that “coffee near me” does. But with earthquakes instead of java.

These at-a-glance summaries include maps detailing affected areas and giving you important information about a quake’s intensity and how to best stay safe if it’s happening near you. Tips will also populate advising users about the dangers of aftershocks and giving them a handful of best practices to reduce the risk of personal injury.

It’s not an addition that will necessarily affect a lot of people on a day-to-day basis, but in the event of an emergency, these integrated modules could offer crucial information to the people who need it the most. But what are your thoughts regarding Google Search’s earthquake summaries? Give us your opinions in the comments below.