Track earthquakes around the world with the Orbis Weather Real-Time Earthquake Map. The interactive tracker displays recent seismic activity using live public earthquake data from the U.S. Geological Survey, making it easy to explore where earthquakes are occurring and examine their magnitude, depth, location and time.

From small earthquakes detected by seismic instruments to major earthquakes capable of causing widespread damage, the map provides a constantly changing picture of Earth’s seismic activity.

Use the controls to select a time period, filter earthquakes by magnitude and explore individual events around the world.

🌎 How the Real-Time Earthquake Map Works

The Orbis Weather earthquake tracker uses public data from the U.S. Geological Survey Earthquake Hazards Program.

As earthquakes are detected and analyzed by seismic networks, information about those events is added to earthquake catalogs.

The Orbis Weather map retrieves this information and displays recent events geographically.

The map automatically refreshes so visitors can monitor newly reported earthquakes without repeatedly reloading the page.

Earthquake information can be revised after an event as scientists receive additional seismic observations. Magnitude, depth and even the calculated location of an earthquake can therefore change after the initial report.

📏 What Does Earthquake Magnitude Mean?

Magnitude measures the size of an earthquake based on seismic energy.

The earthquake map groups events into several general magnitude ranges to make activity easier to understand.

Earthquakes below approximately magnitude 2.5 are often small and may not be felt by people.

Magnitude 2.5 to 4.4 earthquakes are generally considered light events, although shallow earthquakes near populated areas can sometimes be noticeable.

Magnitude 4.5 to 5.9 earthquakes are moderate and may produce stronger shaking near the epicenter.

Magnitude 6.0 to 6.9 earthquakes are strong events capable of causing significant damage depending on their depth, location and nearby construction.

Earthquakes of magnitude 7.0 and above are major earthquakes capable of producing widespread and potentially catastrophic impacts.

Magnitude alone, however, does not determine how destructive an earthquake will be.

📍 What Is an Earthquake Epicenter?

The point where an earthquake begins underground is called the hypocenter, or focus.

The epicenter is the point on Earth’s surface directly above that underground source.

Earthquake maps normally display the epicenter because it provides an easy geographic reference for locating the event.

The strongest shaking does not necessarily occur exactly at the epicenter.

Local geology, earthquake depth, fault movement and the direction in which seismic energy travels can all influence where the strongest shaking occurs.

⬇️ Why Earthquake Depth Matters

Earthquake depth can have a major influence on how strongly an event is felt at the surface.

A shallow earthquake occurs relatively close to Earth’s surface and can sometimes produce intense local shaking even when its magnitude is moderate.

Deeper earthquakes release their energy farther below the surface.

They may be felt across a very large area but sometimes produce less intense shaking immediately above the source than a comparable shallow earthquake.

This is why two earthquakes with identical magnitudes can produce very different effects.

🌐 Why Do Earthquakes Happen?

Most earthquakes occur because Earth’s tectonic plates are constantly moving.

Earth’s outer shell is divided into large plates that slowly move relative to one another.

Where plates collide, pull apart or slide alongside each other, stress can accumulate in rocks.

Eventually, the stress can exceed the strength of the rock, causing sudden movement along a fault.

That movement releases energy in the form of seismic waves.

Those waves travel through Earth and produce the shaking we experience as an earthquake.

🌋 The Pacific Ring of Fire

One of the most seismically active regions on Earth surrounds the Pacific Ocean.

This enormous zone is commonly known as the Pacific Ring of Fire.

It includes highly active tectonic regions near Japan, Indonesia, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, New Zealand, Alaska, the west coast of North America, Mexico, Central America and the western coast of South America.

Many of the world’s strongest earthquakes and most active volcanoes occur around this broad tectonic zone.

This is not a coincidence.

Both earthquakes and volcanic activity are closely connected to the movement and interaction of tectonic plates.

🇺🇸 Earthquakes in the United States

Earthquakes occur throughout the United States, although some regions experience much more seismic activity than others.

Alaska is particularly earthquake-prone because of its location along an active plate boundary.

California is also well known for earthquakes associated with the San Andreas Fault system and numerous other faults.

Significant earthquakes can occur elsewhere as well.

Nevada, Utah, Washington, Oregon, Hawaii and portions of the central United States all experience seismic activity.

The New Madrid Seismic Zone in the central United States has also produced major historical earthquakes.

🌊 Can an Earthquake Cause a Tsunami?

Some earthquakes can generate tsunamis, but most do not.

The greatest tsunami concern generally comes from large, shallow earthquakes beneath or near the ocean that cause significant vertical movement of the seafloor.

When the seafloor suddenly moves upward or downward, it can displace a huge volume of seawater.

That displacement can generate waves capable of traveling across entire ocean basins.

Earthquake magnitude alone does not determine whether a tsunami will occur.

Fault movement, earthquake depth, location and seafloor displacement all matter.

If you are near a coastline and experience strong or prolonged earthquake shaking, follow local tsunami evacuation procedures and official warnings immediately.

🌊 What Is a Tsunami Warning?

Tsunami warning systems use earthquake observations, sea-level measurements, ocean buoys and computer modeling to evaluate whether an earthquake may produce dangerous waves.

Warnings, advisories or other alerts may be issued when a tsunami threat exists.

A large offshore earthquake appearing on the Orbis Weather map does not automatically mean a tsunami has been generated.

Always consult the appropriate official tsunami-warning authority for current information.

🔄 What Are Aftershocks?

Aftershocks are earthquakes that occur following a larger earthquake in the same general region.

A significant earthquake changes stress within the surrounding crust.

As the crust adjusts to those changes, additional earthquakes can occur.

Some aftershocks may be strong enough to cause additional damage, particularly to buildings already weakened by the original earthquake.

Aftershock sequences can continue for days, weeks, months or sometimes longer following very large earthquakes.

📈 What Is an Earthquake Swarm?

An earthquake swarm is a sequence containing many earthquakes in a relatively small area without one clearly dominant mainshock.

Swarm activity can continue for hours, days, weeks or longer.

Earthquake swarms can occur for several reasons, including movement along faults and changes involving underground fluids or volcanic systems.

A swarm does not automatically mean that a major earthquake or volcanic eruption is about to occur.

Scientists examine many types of data before interpreting the significance of unusual seismic activity.

🌋 Earthquakes and Volcanoes

Earthquakes frequently occur around active volcanic systems.

Moving magma and volcanic fluids can fracture rock and change pressure underground, producing seismic activity.

Scientists monitor earthquake patterns around volcanoes because changes in seismic activity can provide information about what is happening beneath the surface.

However, an increase in earthquakes near a volcano does not automatically mean an eruption is imminent.

Volcano observatories combine seismic data with ground deformation, gas measurements, satellite observations and other information when evaluating volcanic unrest.

Orbis Weather also provides a dedicated Live Volcano Eruption Tracker for monitoring significant volcanic activity worldwide.

📊 Why Earthquake Magnitudes Sometimes Change

It is common for an earthquake’s reported magnitude to change after the first announcement.

Initial earthquake information is produced quickly using the seismic observations available immediately after an event.

As additional seismic stations report data, scientists can calculate the earthquake’s location, depth and magnitude more accurately.

An earthquake initially reported as magnitude 6.2, for example, might later be revised to magnitude 6.0 or 6.3.

These revisions are a normal part of earthquake analysis.

🏢 Why Some Earthquakes Cause More Damage Than Others

Magnitude is only one factor determining earthquake damage.

Depth is important because shallow earthquakes can produce particularly strong surface shaking.

Distance from populated areas also matters.

Building design and construction standards can dramatically influence the outcome.

Local geology can amplify seismic waves, while soft sediments may shake more strongly than solid bedrock.

Population density, infrastructure quality and the time of day can also affect the human impact of an earthquake.

This is why a moderate earthquake near a vulnerable city can sometimes be more destructive than a much stronger earthquake in a remote region.

🏗️ Earthquake Intensity vs. Magnitude

Magnitude and intensity describe different things.

Magnitude measures the overall size of an earthquake.

An earthquake has one primary magnitude value, although different scientific methods may produce slightly different estimates.

Intensity describes the effects of shaking at a particular location.

The same earthquake can therefore produce strong intensity near its source and much weaker shaking hundreds of miles away.

Intensity can also vary because of local geology and building conditions.

📍 Earthquakes Near Me

The interactive Orbis Weather map can be used to explore earthquakes in your region.

Zoom into your location or adjust the time and magnitude filters to examine recent events nearby.

Keep in mind that small earthquakes may occur frequently in seismically active regions.

An earthquake appearing near your location on the map does not necessarily mean it was strong enough to be felt or capable of causing damage.

For detailed information about a particular earthquake, consult the official USGS event information.

🧭 Can Scientists Predict Earthquakes?

Scientists cannot currently predict the exact time, location and magnitude of a future major earthquake.

Researchers can identify active faults, study historical earthquake patterns and estimate long-term probabilities for earthquakes in particular regions.

But those assessments are very different from predicting that a specific earthquake will occur on a particular day.

Claims that a person or system can reliably predict the exact date and location of major earthquakes should be treated with considerable skepticism.

🚨 What Should You Do During an Earthquake?

If you experience strong earthquake shaking, follow official earthquake-safety guidance for your location.

In many situations indoors, the recommended action is Drop, Cover and Hold On.

Drop to your hands and knees, take cover beneath a sturdy table or desk if possible and hold on until the shaking stops.

Stay away from windows and objects that could fall.

After a strong earthquake, be prepared for aftershocks and check official emergency information.

Coastal residents should also be aware of potential tsunami hazards following strong or prolonged shaking.

🛰️ Where Does Orbis Weather Get Earthquake Data?

The Orbis Weather Real-Time Earthquake Map uses public earthquake information from the U.S. Geological Survey Earthquake Hazards Program.

The USGS operates and works with seismic monitoring networks that detect and analyze earthquakes in the United States and around the world.

Orbis Weather organizes this information into an interactive map designed to make recent global seismic activity easier to explore.

Orbis Weather does not independently determine earthquake magnitudes, locations or tsunami threats.

Those assessments should come from the appropriate official geological and emergency authorities.

🌎 Monitor Earthquakes Around the World

Earth is seismically active every day.

Most earthquakes are small and cause little or no damage, while occasionally a powerful earthquake can have devastating consequences.

The Orbis Weather Real-Time Earthquake Map provides an easy way to explore this constantly changing seismic activity.

Return anytime to monitor recent earthquakes, major earthquakes, earthquake swarms and global seismic activityusing current public USGS data.

For additional Earth monitoring, explore the Orbis Weather Live Volcano Eruption Tracker, Weekly Earth Watch and Daily Earthquakes, Storms, Fires & Floods Report.

Important Earthquake Safety Disclaimer

The Orbis Weather Real-Time Earthquake Map is provided for general information, education and situational awareness.

Earthquake locations, depths and magnitudes may be preliminary and can be revised as additional seismic information becomes available.

Do not use this map as an earthquake or tsunami warning system.

For earthquake information, tsunami alerts and emergency instructions, always follow the appropriate geological, tsunami-warning and emergency-management authorities for your location.