Locate-a-Quake

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Seismic basics

What Causes Earthquakes?

An earthquake occurs when two blocks of the Earth suddenly slip past one another along a fault or fault plane. The surface where they slip is the fault, the below-ground starting point is the hypocenter, and the point directly above it is the epicenter.

This sudden release of energy generates seismic waves that shake the ground, sometimes causing widespread damage. Most earthquakes happen along the edges of tectonic plates, massive slabs of the Earth's crust that constantly move and interact.

Hotspots

The Ring of Fire and Earthquake Hotspots

80% of the world's earthquakes occur in the "Ring of Fire," a horseshoe-shaped zone around the Pacific Ocean where tectonic plates collide and grind past one another.

Countries such as Japan, Chile, the Philippines, and the western United States are especially prone to seismic activity because of their location along this volatile boundary. Japan records more earthquakes than any other country.

Measurement

Measuring Earthquake Strength

Modern seismologists use the Moment Magnitude scale to measure the energy released by an earthquake, replacing the older Richter scale for greater accuracy.

The strongest earthquake ever recorded was a magnitude 9.5 event in Chile in 1960 that lasted about 10 minutes and triggered devastating tsunamis. Quakes below magnitude 2.5 are rarely felt, while events above 7.5 can cause severe destruction near populated areas.

Aftereffects

Secondary Hazards: Tsunamis, Landslides, and Fires

Tsunamis: Undersea quakes displace seawater, sending waves racing across oceans at over 600 mph before flooding coastlines.
Landslides: Strong shaking can destabilize slopes, as seen in the 2008 Sichuan earthquake in China, which triggered massive failures.
Fires: Ruptured gas lines and damaged electrical systems can ignite blazes, like the 1906 San Francisco earthquake where fires caused more deaths than the shaking.

Before

How to Prepare for an Earthquake

Preparation is key to staying safe. Follow the Seven Steps to Earthquake Safety to protect your home and family.

Secure your space
Plan for safety
Organize supplies
Minimize financial hardship
Practice drills
Strengthen your home
Survive immediately after

Build an emergency kit stocked with water, non-perishable food, flashlights, spare batteries, a first-aid kit, and cash. Anchor heavy furniture and appliances to studs so they stay put when shaking begins.

During

What to Do During an Earthquake

When shaking starts, remember Drop, Cover, Hold On.

Drop to your hands and knees.
Cover under a sturdy desk or table, or crouch by an interior wall if none is available.
Hold On until the shaking stops.

Stay indoors—many injuries happen when people move during shaking or try to exit buildings. Avoid doorways, elevators, windows, glass, and any heavy items that could fall.

After

After the Shaking Stops

Check yourself and others for injuries and render first aid where possible. Watch for hidden dangers even after the main shock subsides.

Inspect for gas leaks; if you smell gas, shut it off and evacuate immediately.
Stay clear of downed power lines and damaged structures.
Use battery-powered radios for updates and conserve phone use for emergencies.
Expect aftershocks—they can arrive minutes to days later and may cause additional damage.

Global Earthquake Relief Organizations

Trusted NGOs that mobilize medical teams, supplies, and recovery expertise after major quakes.

Direct Relief

A global humanitarian organization providing emergency medical and logistical support after earthquakes worldwide.

Websitedirectrelief.org/emergency/earthquakes
LocationSanta Barbara, California, USA

UNICEF USA Earthquake Relief

Supports children and families impacted by earthquakes globally with emergency aid and recovery services.

Contact(800) 367-5437
Websiteunicefusa.org/emergency-response/earthquakes

International Medical Corps

Provides emergency medical aid and mental health services in earthquake-affected areas.

Websiteinternationalmedicalcorps.org

Global Facility for Disaster Reduction & Recovery (GFDRR)

A global partnership helping vulnerable countries reduce earthquake risks through knowledge and funding.

Websitegfdrr.org

American Red Cross Disaster Relief

Offers quake relief services including aid distribution, shelter, and long-term recovery assistance.

Websiteredcross.org/about-us/our-work/disaster-relief/earthquake-relief.html

World Relief

A global Christian humanitarian organization engaging in earthquake disaster response and recovery.

Contact443-451-1900 • 800-535-5433
Websiteworldrelief.org/respond

Emergency Numbers by Region

Dial these numbers from local phones for immediate police, medical, or fire assistance.

General Global Emergency Numbers

Use the dedicated emergency number of the country you are in. Mobile phones will route to the nearest dispatch center.

Europe & parts of Asia112
Americas (USA, Canada)911
India112
Japan119
Australia000
Philippines911

Check local government resources or curated lists like the global emergency telephone directory before traveling.

Additional Relief Funds & Support

Targeted campaigns you can back to accelerate recovery in the aftermath of major quakes.

GlobalGiving Earthquake Relief Funds

Supports response and recovery projects in Myanmar, Thailand, and other impacted regions.

Donateglobalgiving.org/projects/myanmar-and-thailand-earthquake-relief-fund

Lutheran World Relief

Provides shelter, cash assistance, and long-term recovery support for Türkiye earthquake survivors.

Donatelwr.org/turkey-earthquakes

There are millions of earthquakes each year worldwide, but only about 100,000 are noticeable and roughly 100 cause damage.
The largest recorded earthquake was a magnitude 9.5 in Chile in 1960, shaking the planet for about 10 minutes.
Mega-earthquakes can shift Earth's axis slightly, shortening the length of a day by fractions of a millisecond.
The strongest earthquake in the United States struck Alaska in 1964 with a magnitude of 9.2.
Most earthquakes happen along tectonic plate boundaries, especially around the Pacific Ring of Fire.
The underground starting point of an earthquake is the hypocenter; the point above it on the surface is the epicenter.
The shaking you feel comes from seismic waves radiating through rock layers after a fault slips.
The deadliest recorded earthquake occurred in 1556 in central China, where an estimated 830,000 people died.
Powerful earthquakes can move entire cities several feet in a matter of seconds.
The 2011 Tohoku earthquake in Japan shortened Earth's day by about 1.8 microseconds.
Undersea earthquakes can trigger tsunamis that race across oceans and cause catastrophic coastal flooding.
Soil liquefaction during intense shaking can make ground behave like a fluid, causing buildings to sink or tilt.
Most earthquakes last only seconds, but the most powerful events can shake the ground for minutes.
Aftershocks follow major quakes and can continue for months or even years as stress readjusts.
Japan records more earthquakes than any other country because it sits on multiple interacting tectonic plates.
Seismic forces can raise or lower mountains; Mount Everest moved after the 2015 Nepal earthquake.
Scientists now use the Moment Magnitude scale for more accurate measurements of earthquake energy than the Richter scale.
Quakes that happen underwater may go unnoticed, yet they can set off submarine landslides.
The Pacific Ring of Fire produces about 90% of the world's earthquakes and hosts many active volcanoes.
Despite scientific advances, no reliable method exists to predict the exact timing or location of future earthquakes.

Why we built it

After struggling with clunky feeds and stale dashboards, we set out to create a tool that surfaces quake intelligence in seconds without sacrificing depth.

How we work

We combine open datasets from USGS, OpenStreetMap, and like-minded communities with thoughtful design and engineering to keep the interface lightweight and informative.