Our purposeMake Earthquake Data Easier to Read
Official earthquake catalogs are rich scientific resources, but their field names, magnitude types, coordinate order, status values, and impact products are not always obvious to a general reader. EarthQuakeTracker turns a selected USGS feed into a responsive map and table, then surrounds the tool with explanations that define the information and its limitations.
The site is built for exploration and education. A visitor can compare earthquakes today, inspect magnitude and depth, and sort recent seismic events. We do not operate seismometers, calculate original earthquake solutions, represent a government agency, or claim to predict earthquakes.
Primary data sourceHow We Use USGS Earthquake Information
The live application uses GeoJSON feeds published by the U.S. Geological Survey Earthquake Hazards Program. Depending on the selected time window, the server requests the trusted past-hour, past-day, or past-seven-day endpoint. It validates the response and normalizes fields used by the interface, including event ID, magnitude, magnitude type, place, latitude, longitude, depth, event time, update time, status, event type, tsunami flag, felt-report count, alert level, and significance.
Some properties are unavailable for some events. A small automatic event may not have an alert product or felt reports, for example. Missing information is omitted or identified as unavailable rather than inferred.
Derived summariesWhat EarthQuakeTracker Calculates
Summary numbers are calculated only from real events returned for the selected feed and filters. “Events in view” counts the current result set. “Strongest” selects the largest available magnitude. “Latest” compares event origin times. Average depth is the arithmetic mean of reported depths in the current set. Sorting changes presentation order but does not alter source records.
These summaries depend on the active time range and magnitude threshold. They should not be compared with a different catalog query unless the settings are equivalent. Event counts also reflect regional detection capability and catalog completeness, so a count is not a complete measure of global earthquake behavior.
Preliminary scienceWhy Live Earthquake Records Change
Rapid earthquake information begins with the observations available immediately after detection. More stations report over time, additional seismic phases arrive, and analysts can apply more detailed methods. Magnitude, magnitude type, coordinates, depth, place description, status, and scientific products may therefore change after an event first appears.
EarthQuakeTracker shows the current feed value and last-update context. A revision is a normal part of producing a better catalog. Readers using an event in research, reporting, emergency planning, engineering, or another consequential setting should cite the authoritative record, note when it was accessed, and confirm whether the solution has been reviewed.
Editorial methodHow Educational Content Is Written
Our guides begin with a specific reader question, such as how to interpret earthquake depth or why magnitude can change. Scientific definitions and safety statements are checked against the USGS, FEMA, government geological agencies, or academically reliable sources. Articles link to primary references so readers can verify the explanation and continue learning.
We avoid invented experts, fabricated quotations, unsupported statistics, dramatic prediction language, and false first-hand experience. Editorial review checks factual consistency, heading clarity, duplicate passages, keyword repetition, grammar, readability, internal links, and whether the article answers its stated question. Search visibility matters, but clarity and accuracy come first.
Responsible useImportant Limits and Safety Language
This website is not an earthquake early-warning system, emergency notification service, hazard assessment, tsunami warning source, damage estimator, or structural-safety tool. A live earthquake map shows detected past events; it does not forecast the exact time, place, and magnitude of a future earthquake. Recent event absence does not establish low long-term hazard.
If you feel shaking, do not wait for a map to update. Protect yourself with Drop, Cover, and Hold On, then follow local government and emergency-management guidance. Near a coast, follow official tsunami evacuation instructions and natural-warning guidance for your location. For preparedness and building decisions, consult qualified local professionals and official hazard resources.
