USGS Earthquake Map

What USGS Earthquake Map actually is

The US Geological Survey publishes automatically detected earthquakes worldwide, sized by magnitude and coloured by how recent they are. Each event opens onto shaking intensity maps, felt reports submitted by people who were there, and the fault mechanism once analysts have reviewed it.

Why it is worth your time

Set the filter to all magnitudes, leave it running for an hour, and it becomes obvious the planet is shaking constantly at levels nobody ever notices.

Common questions

Is USGS Earthquake Map free?

Yes. USGS Earthquake Map is free and does not ask you to register or hand over an email address before you can use it.

How long does USGS Earthquake Map take?

Good within five seconds of loading. We file it under "Instant" — every earthquake on Earth, minutes after it happens.

Does USGS Earthquake Map work on a phone?

Yes. USGS Earthquake Map works on a phone as well as it does on a laptop.

What kind of site is USGS Earthquake Map?

We list it under The Live Planet — what earth is doing, right this second. Set the filter to all magnitudes, leave it running for an hour, and it becomes obvious the planet is shaking constantly at levels nobody ever notices.