Earthquake Today — Live Map & Tracker

Our live seismic tracker updates every 60 seconds directly from official USGS feeds. Any earthquake of magnitude 1.5 or greater detected worldwide will appear in the live table and map within 1 to 3 minutes of detection. If you felt sudden shaking right now, check the top of the feed or click the 'I Felt It' button to log your report.

The most recent earthquake is always at the very top of our 'Recent Earthquakes Today' table, sorted chronologically with the newest event first. Each entry displays the exact distance from the nearest city, moment magnitude (Mw), focal depth in kilometers, and how many minutes ago it struck.

You can see the largest tremor recorded in the past 24 hours in the 'Today\'s Biggest Earthquakes' section and in the hero summary dashboard. Earthquakes of magnitude 5.0 and above are flagged in red, while major events (M7.0+) trigger an urgent seismic banner.

If you felt ground movement but see no quake listed, it could be due to: (1) Seismometers take 60 to 180 seconds to detect, triangulate, and publish initial automated readings; (2) The vibration was localized and non-tectonic (such as heavy quarry blasting, structural settling, sonic booms, or nearby rail freight); or (3) The tremor was a micro-quake below magnitude 1.5. Check back in two minutes as stations sync.

Earthquakes below M3.0 are rarely felt by people. Shocks between M4.0 and M4.9 cause noticeable indoor rattling (windows, dishes). Moderate quakes (M5.0 to M5.9) can cause plaster cracks and damage to older or unreinforced masonry. Strong quakes (M6.0 to M6.9) can cause severe structural damage in populated areas, and major quakes (M7.0+) produce catastrophic destruction and secondary hazards like tsunamis and landslides.

The USGS estimates that approximately 50 to 55 measurable earthquakes occur worldwide each day — totaling around 20,000 seismic events per year. However, sensitive global seismographs detect hundreds of thousands of smaller micro-tremors every year that release tectonic stress without being felt by people.

Magnitude measures the absolute physical energy released at the earthquake's underground focus, expressed as a single unchanging number on the Moment Magnitude (Mw) scale. Intensity (measured on the Modified Mercalli scale) describes the actual severity of surface shaking experienced at your specific geographic spot, which decreases the farther you are from the epicenter.

No. Neither the USGS nor any global scientific body can predict the exact date, hour, and location of a future earthquake. Geologists can only forecast long-term statistical probabilities along known fault lines. However, modern Earthquake Early Warning (EEW) networks like ShakeAlert detect fast P-waves and push smartphone alerts seconds before destructive S-waves arrive.

Emergency agencies advise the 'Drop, Cover, and Hold On' protocol: (1) Drop onto your hands and knees so you are not knocked over; (2) Cover your head and neck under a sturdy desk or table, staying away from windows, heavy mirrors, and tall furniture; (3) Hold On to your shelter until shaking stops. Do not run outside during shaking, as falling glass and exterior masonry pose the greatest injury risk.

Our data streams directly from the official USGS (United States Geological Survey) Earthquake Hazards Program GeoJSON feed. Automated event detection is posted within 2 to 5 minutes, followed by rapid review from duty seismologists who refine hypocenter depths and magnitudes as additional regional stations synchronize.