About Earthquake Radar

Our Mission

Earthquake Radar exists to democratize access to earthquake information. We believe everyone should have free, real-time access to seismic data and risk assessments, regardless of their location or technical expertise. Our platform combines cutting-edge data visualization with user-friendly design to make earthquake monitoring accessible to all.

1. Data Collection

We pull live earthquake data from the USGS (United States Geological Survey) GeoJSON feed every 5 minutes. The USGS operates a global network of seismographs that detect and measure earthquakes worldwide. Their data is considered the gold standard for seismic information.

2. Data Processing

Our system processes raw earthquake data to extract key information: location coordinates, magnitude, depth, time, and metadata. We filter and organize this data to display the most relevant information for our users, including the past 24 hours of seismic activity.

3. Visualization

Using Leaflet.js mapping technology, we plot earthquakes on an interactive global map. Color coding indicates depth (shallow earthquakes in red, deep earthquakes in blue), while circle size represents magnitude. Users can click any earthquake for detailed information.

4. Risk Analysis

When you enter your location, our algorithm calculates your earthquake risk by analyzing:

• Fault Proximity: Distance to USGS-mapped active faults, weighted by fault activity and slip rate
• Seismic Activity: Frequency and magnitude of recent earthquakes within 500km
• Tectonic Setting: Regional geological context (Ring of Fire, subduction zones, etc.)

The result is a score from 0-100 indicating relative earthquake risk, along with specific recommendations for your area.

Earthquake Radar is built with modern web technologies:

• Frontend: Pure HTML, CSS, and JavaScript - no frameworks needed for fast loading
• Mapping: Leaflet.js for interactive, responsive maps
• Data: USGS GeoJSON API for real-time earthquake feeds
• Geocoding: OpenStreetMap Nominatim for location searches
• Analytics: Google Analytics for usage insights (privacy-respecting)

We believe earthquake information should be accessible to everyone, not just those who can afford premium services. Earthquakes don't discriminate - they affect people of all economic backgrounds. Our platform will always remain free because:

• Safety is Universal: Everyone deserves access to potentially life-saving information
• Education Matters: Understanding earthquakes helps people prepare and stay safe
• Community Value: More users means more "Did You Feel It?" reports, benefiting everyone
• Open Data: USGS data is public - we're just making it more accessible

That said, running Earthquake Radar has costs (servers, domain, development time). If you find our service valuable, please consider supporting us through PayPal or Patreon. Every contribution helps keep this service free for everyone.

We're constantly improving Earthquake Radar. Planned features include:

• Mobile Apps: Native iOS and Android applications for notifications
• Email Alerts: Get notified when earthquakes occur near you
• Historical Data: Explore earthquakes from previous months and years
• Advanced Filters: Filter earthquakes by magnitude, depth, and region
• Earthquake Stories: In-depth analysis of significant earthquakes
• API Access: Developers can integrate our risk calculator into their apps
• Multi-language Support: Translate the platform for global users
• Educational Resources: Interactive tutorials on earthquake science

Have a feature request? Let us know on Twitter/X!

⚠️ Important Disclaimer

Earthquake Radar is an informational tool, not a prediction or warning system. We display data from the USGS but are not affiliated with any government agency. Our risk assessments are general estimates and should not replace professional seismic evaluations. Always follow official emergency management guidance during earthquakes.

Earthquake Radar wouldn't be possible without:

• USGS: For providing free, public earthquake data and fault databases
• OpenStreetMap: For geocoding and mapping infrastructure
• Leaflet: For the powerful, open-source mapping library
• Our Users: For trusting us with their earthquake monitoring needs
• Contributors: Everyone who reports "Did You Feel It?" data
• Supporters: Those who help fund our servers and development

Stay Connected

Follow us for earthquake updates, platform news, and safety tips:

How We Calculate This

Our risk score combines geological and seismic data to give you a realistic snapshot of earthquake danger in your area. First, we determine your location and measure the distance to the nearest known fault line, using official U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) fault maps. Faults that are classified as active—particularly those with movement in the Holocene epoch (within roughly the last 11,700 years)—carry higher weight in the score. Next, we analyze recent earthquake activity from live USGS seismic feeds, looking at events within 500 kilometers of your location over the past week. Larger and more frequent earthquakes in this radius increase your score. The final number, scaled from 0 (lowest) to 100 (highest), is a weighted blend of proximity to active faults and recent seismic activity, providing a balanced, data-driven assessment of earthquake risk. This risk score is just a rough guide, not a guarantee. Earthquakes are unpredictable, and we’re not responsible for how you use this info. Think of it as a helpful snapshot, not a crystal ball.

🌍 Did You Feel It?

Your report helps improve earthquake monitoring and provides valuable data to seismologists.

Score Component Details