About Earthquakes

An open, public-facing window into United States seismic activity — built on authoritative USGS data and designed for clarity, not alarm.

How it works

Detect

Seismometers nationwide record ground motion and feed the USGS network.

Locate

USGS computes each event's magnitude, depth, and epicenter, often within minutes.

Surface

We pull those feeds in real time and plot every U.S. event on the live map.

Inform

Browse, filter, and subscribe to alerts so you stay aware of activity that matters to you.

Understanding magnitude

< 3.0 Micro to minor — usually not felt, recorded by instruments.

3.0 – 3.9 Often felt, rarely causes damage.

4.0 – 4.9 Noticeable shaking; minor damage possible near the epicenter.

5.0 – 5.9 Can damage poorly constructed buildings over small regions.

6.0+ Strong to major — capable of serious damage across populated areas.

Frequently asked

Where does the data come from?

How quickly are events posted?

Is this an official warning system?

What area is covered?

This site is an informational reference and not an official emergency warning system. Magnitudes and locations are preliminary and subject to revision by the USGS. In an emergency, call 911.