What is UTC, and why do you report earthquakes in UTC?
UTC stands for Coordinated Universal Time, and for this purpose is the same as GMT (Greenwich Mean Time).
Since the USGS and other seismic network agencies record earthquakes around the globe in all the various time zones, using a single standard time reference is best for record-keeping and exchange of data. The individual event pages with details about each earthquake use UTC for the reference time. Sometimes this means the UTC date of the earthquake is "the next day" from the date where you are.
The default time reference on the Latest Earthquakes list is your local time based on the time clock on your computer or mobile device. You can change this setting in the Settings panel ("gear" icon in upper right). Keep in mind that your local time might be different from the local time of the earthquake, even if you felt it. An earthquake offshore in the ocean or in a neighboring state might be in different time zone from yours.
NASA has a helpful website on Time Zones and Universal Time.
Related Content
Why do so many earthquakes occur at a depth of 10km?
How quickly is earthquake information posted to the USGS website and sent out via the Earthquake Notification Service (ENS) and other feeds?
Where can I see current or past seismograms?
Why do USGS earthquake magnitudes differ from those published by other agencies?
Why/When does the USGS update the magnitude of an earthquake?
Why do some earthquakes disappear from the map/list?
Why isn't the fault on which the earthquake occurred or the distance to the nearest fault provided?
Can I get on a list to receive an email message when there is an earthquake? How do I sign up for earthquake notifications? Are there any Feeds I can subscribe to?
Did I feel an earthquake? Can I report feeling an earthquake?
Why is the earthquake that was reported/recorded by network X, or that I felt, not on the Latest Earthquakes map/list?
Where can I find current earthquake lists and maps for the world or for a specific area?
The Global Seismographic Network
Gee, Lind S.; Leith, William S.
Earthquake hazards: a national threat
Earthquakes are one of the most costly natural hazards faced by the Nation, posing a significant risk to 75 million Americans in 39 States. The risks that earthquakes pose to society, including death, injury, and economic loss, can be greatly reduced by (1) better planning, construction, and mitigation practices before earthquakes happen, and (2)...
ANSS-Advanced National Seismic System
Benz, Harley M.; Filson, John; Arabasz, Walter; Gee, Lind; Wald, Lisa
USGS National Seismic Hazard Maps
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) recently completed new probabilistic seismic hazard maps for the United States, including Alaska and Hawaii. These hazard maps form the basis of the probabilistic component of the design maps used in the 1997 edition of the NEHRP Recommended Provisions for Seismic Regulations for New Buildings and Other Structures...
Frankel, A.D.; Mueller, C.S.; Barnhard, T.P.; Leyendecker, E.V.; Wesson, R.L.; Harmsen, S.C.; Klein, F. W.; Perkins, D.M.; Dickman, N.C.; Hanson, S.L.; Hopper, M.G. NEIC - the National Earthquake Information Center
The National Earthquake Information Center of the US Geological Survey has three main missions. First, the NEIC determines as rapidly and as accurately as possible, the location and size of all destructive earthquakes that occur worldwide. Second, the NEIC collects and provides to scientists and to the public an extensive seismic database that...
Masse, R.P.; Needham, R.E.
Updated USGS Earthquake Monitoring Strategy Released
The USGS Earthquake Hazards Program recently released a new strategic plan for earthquake monitoring entitled the “Advanced National Seismic System – Current Status, Development Opportunities, Priorities, 2017-2027.”
A 100-year-long History of Earthquakes and Seismic Monitoring in Hawaii
The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory’s 1912–2012 Centennial—100 Years of Tracking Eruptions and Earthquakes
HAWAI‘I ISLAND, Hawaii —The history of earthquakes and seismic monitoring in Hawai‘i during the past century will be the topic of a presentation at the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo on Thursday, January 26, at 7:00 p.m.
Millions Awarded for Earthquake Monitoring in the United States
More than $7 million in cooperative agreements will be awarded for earthquake monitoring by the U.S Geological Survey in 2010. This funding will contribute to the development and operation of the USGS Advanced National Seismic System (ANSS).
Recovery Act Funds Will Upgrade Earthquake Monitoring
USGS will Grant Universities $5 Million to Beef Up Public Safety Grants totaling $5 million under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act are being awarded to 13 universities nationwide to upgrade critical earthquake monitoring networks and increase public safety.
Earthquake Catalog Map Results Example
Example of results returned when searching the USGS Earthquake Catalog. The ANSS Comprehensive Earthquake Catalog (ComCat) contains earthquake source parameters (e.g. hypocenters, magnitudes, phase picks and amplitudes) and other products (e.g. moment tensor solutions, macroseismic information, tectonic summaries, maps) produced by contributing seismic
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Magnitude 7.9 Earthquake off Papua New Guinea
USGS map of the magnitude 7.9 earthquake off Papua New Guinea.
Extensive damage in Japan after massive earthquake and tsunami
Extensive damage to buildings and roads, and large boats washed far ashore, provide valuable information to tsunami researchers. Here, in Natori, Japan, south of Sendai, the height of damage indicates that the water flow from the tsunami wave was about 10 meters (33 feet).