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National Seismic Hazard Model Project

Hazard map from the 2023 50-state update of the National Seismic Hazard Model Project
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Quick Reads

Seismic Fact Sheets!

Introduction to the Hazard Maps
What are the USGS National Seismic Hazard Maps and how are they used?

FAQs
Click on the link and select "Earthquake Hazards" under topic.

Earthquake Monitoring Resources
Find seismic networks, real-time data, earthquake catalogs, and learn about ground deformation.

Earthquake Hazards 101-The Basics
Information on earthquake hazards, including the definition of an earthquake hazard, a hazard map, using probabilistic ground motion for hazard determination, and more.

Earthquake Hazards 201-Technical Q&A
A list of technical questions & answers about earthquake hazards.

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Seismicity of the Earth 1900–2018

This map illustrates 119 years of global seismicity in the context of global plate tectonics and the Earth’s physiography. Primarily designed for use by earth scientists, engineers, and educators, this map provides a comprehensive overview of strong (magnitude [M] 5.5 and larger) earthquakes since 1900. The map clearly identifies the locations of the “great” earthquakes (M 8.0 and larger) and the
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Geologic Hazards Science Center

Seismic-hazard maps for the conterminous United States, 2014

The maps presented here provide an update to the 2008 data contained in U.S Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Map 3195 (http://pubs.usgs.gov/sim/3195/).Probabilistic seismic-hazard maps were prepared for the conterminous United States for 2014 portraying peak horizontal acceleration and horizontal spectral response acceleration for 0.2- and 1.0-second periods with probabilities of exceed
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Earthquake Hazards Program, Geologic Hazards Science Center

Seismic-Hazard Maps for the Conterminous United States, 2008

Probabilistic seismic-hazard maps were prepared for the conterminous United States portraying peak horizontal acceleration and horizontal spectral response acceleration for 0.2- and 1.0-second periods with probabilities of exceedance of 10 percent in 50 years and 2 percent in 50 years. All of the maps were prepared by combining the hazard derived from spatially smoothed historic seismicity with th
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Earthquake Hazards Program, Geologic Hazards Science Center

Maps Showing Seismic Landslide Hazards in Anchorage, Alaska

The devastating landslides that accompanied the great 1964 Alaska earthquake showed that seismically triggered landslides are one of the greatest geologic hazards in Anchorage. Maps quantifying seismic landslide hazards are therefore important for planning, zoning, and emergency-response preparation. The accompanying maps portray seismic landslide hazards for the following conditions: (1) deep, tr
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Earthquake Hazards Program, Landslide Hazards Program, Geologic Hazards Science Center

Seismic-hazard maps for the conterminous United States

This publication consists of six map sheets (titles and text included in this document, below), geospatial datasets, and metadata. The geospatial datasets consist of ArcInfo export files for the seismic-hazard point and polygon data shown on the sheets. Probabilistic seismic-hazard maps were prepared for the conterminous United States portraying peak horizontal acceleration and horizontal spectra

Seismic Landslide Hazard for the City of Berkeley, California

This map describes the possible hazard from earthquake-induced landslides for the city of Berkeley, CA. The hazard depicted by this map was modeled for a scenario corresponding to an M=7.1 earthquake on the Hayward, CA fault. This scenario magnitude is associated with complete rupture of the northern and southern segments of the Hayward fault, an event that has an estimated return period o
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Earthquake Hazards Program, Landslide Hazards Program, Geologic Hazards Science Center

Seismic Landslide Hazard for the Cities of Oakland and Piedmont, California

This map describes the possible hazard from earthquake-induced landslides for the cities of Oakland and Piedmont, CA. The hazard depicted by this map was modeled for a scenario corresponding to an M=7.1 earthquake on the Hayward, CA fault. This scenario magnitude is associated with complete rupture of the northern and southern segments of the Hayward fault, an event that has an estimated retur
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Earthquake Hazards Program, Landslide Hazards Program, Geologic Hazards Science Center

Seismic-hazard maps for Hawaii

Probabilistic seismic hazard maps were prepared for Hawaii portraying peak horizontal ground acceleration and horizontal spectral response acceleration for 0.2, 0.3, and 1.0 second periods with probabilities of exceedance of 10% in 50 years and 2% in 50 years. This particular data set is for horizontal spectral response acceleration for 1.0 second period with a 10% probability of exceedance

Seismic-hazard maps for Alaska and the Aleutian Islands

Probabilistic seismic hazard maps were prepared for Alaska portraying peak horizontal ground acceleration and horizontal spectral response acceleration for 0.2, 0.3, and 1.0 second periods with probabilities of exceedance of 10% in 50 years and 2% in 50 years. This particular data set is for horizontal spectral response acceleration for 1.0 second period with a 10% probability of exceedance

Maps showing seismicity and tectonic stresses along the Eurasia-Africa plate boundary

No abstract available.
USGS CoreCast
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How Can You Prepare for Earthquakes?
How Can You Prepare for Earthquakes?
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USGS CoreCast Series
USGS CoreCast Series

How Can You Prepare for Earthquakes?

How Can You Prepare for Earthquakes?

No matter where you live, it is important to be aware of and prepared for earthquakes. Join us as we talk to Mike Blanpied, who is the Associate Coordinator for the USGS Earthquake Hazards Program, as he gives us safety tips to ensure you and your family are prepared before, during, and after an earthquake.

By
Communications and Publishing
USGS CoreCast
USGS CoreCast Series
USGS CoreCast Series

How Can You Prepare for Earthquakes?

How Can You Prepare for Earthquakes?

No matter where you live, it is important to be aware of and prepared for earthquakes. Join us as we talk to Mike Blanpied, who is the Associate Coordinator for the USGS Earthquake Hazards Program, as he gives us safety tips to ensure you and your family are prepared before, during, and after an earthquake.

By
Communications and Publishing
USGS CoreCast
USGS CoreCast Series
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Shaking and Tweeting: The USGS Twitter Earthquake Detection Program
Shaking and Tweeting: The USGS Twitter Earthquake Detection Program
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USGS CoreCast Series
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Shaking and Tweeting: The USGS Twitter Earthquake Detection Program

Shaking and Tweeting: The USGS Twitter Earthquake Detection Program

The USGS is investigating the use of Twitter, a popular micro-blogging tool, to collect and analyze citizen accounts of earthquakes around the world. USGS scientists Paul Earle and Michelle Guy discuss this Twitter Earthquake Detection (TED) project.

By
Communications and Publishing
USGS CoreCast
USGS CoreCast Series
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Shaking and Tweeting: The USGS Twitter Earthquake Detection Program

Shaking and Tweeting: The USGS Twitter Earthquake Detection Program

The USGS is investigating the use of Twitter, a popular micro-blogging tool, to collect and analyze citizen accounts of earthquakes around the world. USGS scientists Paul Earle and Michelle Guy discuss this Twitter Earthquake Detection (TED) project.

By
Communications and Publishing
CoreFacts
CoreFacts Album Artwork
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What should I do during an earthquake?
What should I do during an earthquake?
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What should I do during an earthquake?

What should I do during an earthquake?

Listen to hear the answer.

By
Communications and Publishing
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What should I do during an earthquake?

What should I do during an earthquake?

Listen to hear the answer.

By
Communications and Publishing

2022 Emergency Assistance Act — USGS recovery activities

The Extending Government Funding and Delivering Emergency Assistance Act (Public Law 117-43) was enacted on September 30, 2021. The U.S. Geological Survey received $26.3 million in supplemental funding to repair and replace facilities and equipment, collect high-resolution elevation data, and complete scientific assessments to support direct recovery and rebuilding decisions in areas affected by d
Authors
Jo Ellen Hinck, Joseph Stachyra
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Columbia Environmental Research Center, Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Recovery Activities

The HayWired Earthquake Scenario—Societal Consequences

The HayWired earthquake scenario, led by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), anticipates the impacts of a hypothetical moment magnitude 7.0 earthquake on the Hayward Fault. The fault runs along the east side of California’s San Francisco Bay and is among the most active and dangerous in the United States, passing through a densely urbanized and interconnected region. A scientifically realistic scen
Authors
Anne M. Wein, Joseph L. Jones, Laurie A. Johnson, Cynthia Kroll, Jennifer A. Strauss, David Witkowski, Dale A. Cox
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Earthquake Hazards Program, Science Application for Risk Reduction, Earthquake Science Center

Earthquake information products and tools from the Advanced National Seismic System (ANSS)

 This Fact Sheet describes post-earthquake products and tools provided by the Advanced National Seismic System (ANSS) through the U.S. Geological Survey Earthquake Hazards Program. The focus is on products that provide situational awareness immediately after significant earthquakes.
Authors
Lisa A. Wald
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Earthquake Hazards Program, Geologic Hazards Science Center

Earthquake forecast for the Wasatch Front region of the Intermountain West

The Working Group on Utah Earthquake Probabilities has assessed the probability of large earthquakes in the Wasatch Front region. There is a 43 percent probability of one or more magnitude 6.75 or greater earthquakes and a 57 percent probability of one or more magnitude 6.0 or greater earthquakes in the region in the next 50 years. These results highlight the threat of large earthquakes in the reg
Authors
Christopher B. DuRoss
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Earthquake Hazards Program, Geologic Hazards Science Center

ShakeAlert—An earthquake early warning system for the United States west coast

Earthquake early warning systems use earthquake science and the technology of monitoring systems to alert devices and people when shaking waves generated by an earthquake are expected to arrive at their location. The seconds to minutes of advance warning can allow people and systems to take actions to protect life and property from destructive shaking. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in collabo
Authors
Erin R. Burkett, Douglas D. Given, Lucile M. Jones
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Earthquake Hazards Program, Earthquake Science Center

The 1964 Great Alaska Earthquake and tsunamis: a modern perspective and enduring legacies

The magnitude 9.2 Great Alaska Earthquake that struck south-central Alaska at 5:36 p.m. on Friday, March 27, 1964, is the largest recorded earthquake in U.S. history and the second-largest earthquake recorded with modern instruments. The earthquake was felt throughout most of mainland Alaska, as far west as Dutch Harbor in the Aleutian Islands some 480 miles away, and at Seattle, Washington, more
Authors
Thomas M. Brocher, John R. Filson, Gary S. Fuis, Peter J. Haeussler, Thomas L. Holzer, George Plafker, J. Luke Blair
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Earthquake Hazards Program, Earthquake Science Center, Subduction Zone Science

United States National Seismic Hazard Maps

The U.S. Geological Survey?s maps of earthquake shaking hazards provide information essential to creating and updating the seismic design provisions of building codes and insurance rates used in the United States. Periodic revisions of these maps incorporate the results of new research. Buildings, bridges, highways, and utilities built to meet modern seismic design provisions are better able to wi
Authors
M.D. Petersen

Progress toward a safer future since the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake

No abstract available.
Authors
Robert A. Page, Peter H. Stauffer, James W. Hendley

The 2023 Kahramanmaraş, Turkey, Earthquake Sequence

On February 6, 2023, a M 7.8 earthquake occurred in southern Turkey near the northern border of Syria. This earthquake was followed about 9 hours later by a M 7.5 earthquake approximately 90 km to the north. This interactive geonarrative describes the tectonic setting in the region, past seismicity in the area, and details of the earthquake rupture.

By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Earthquake Hazards Program

Seismotectonics of the Eastern Margin of the Australia Plate

The Australia-Pacific margin is an intensely active plate boundary that produces some of the world's most powerful earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions. Explore this interactive geonarrative (Esri storymap).

By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Earthquake Hazards Program

SLAB2.0 Interactive Map

Subduction zones are home to the most seismically active faults on the planet. The shallow megathrust interface of subduction zones host our largest earthquakes, and are the only faults capable of M9+ ruptures.

By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Earthquake Hazards Program

2020-2021 Alaska Peninsula Earthquake Sequence

A summary of the earthquake sequence in the Alaska Peninsula during 2020 and 2021. On 29 July 2021, a magnitude (M) 8.2 earthquake occurred southeast of Perryville, Alaska, (south of the Alaska Peninsula). This event was preceded in 2020 by two nearby earthquakes. The first was a M7.8 earthquake (22 July 2020), followed three months later by a M7.6 earthquake (19 October 2020).

By
Earthquake Hazards Program

Earthquake Tour of Santa Rosa, California

This geonarrative (Esri Story Map) takes you on a virtual tour of 1906 and 1969 earthquake damage in Santa Rosa, shows examples of buildings that have been retrofitted to protect against future earthquake shaking, and highlights locations where faulting from large earthquakes and slow fault slip (creep) is expressed at the ground surface. 

By
Earthquake Hazards Program

The 2019 Ridgecrest, California, Earthquake Sequence

This USGS geonarrative (Esri Story Map) summarizes the USGS response and findings after the M6.4 on July 4 and M7.1 on July 6, 2019 in Searles Valley, Southern California, and includes links to USGS research publications and data releases.

By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Earthquake Hazards Program

What to Expect in a Big Urban Earthquake

How do we get ready for big earthquakes in populated areas? An important first step is to learn what a big earthquake could be like. These pages summarize the main patterns — the earthquake effects that show up again and again. Here, urban is shorthand for “cities, towns, and suburbs”.

By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Earthquake Hazards Program, Science Application for Risk Reduction, Reducing Risk

The HayWired Scenario: An Urban Earthquake in a Connected World - A Geonarrative

What might it be like the next time the Hayward Fault has a large earthquake? A geonarrative and related imagery examines a hypothetical earthquake, the magnitude 7.0 HayWired earthquake scenario.

By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Science Application for Risk Reduction

1964 Great Alaska Earthquake Photo Tour of Anchorage

On March 27, 1964 the largest recorded earthquake in U.S. history struck southcentral Alaska.  Click on the photos or the numbers to take a tour.

By
Alaska Science Center
link
Hazard map from the 2023 50-state update of the National Seismic Hazard Model Project

New USGS map shows where damaging earthquakes are most likely to occur in US

USGS scientists and our partners recently revealed the latest National Seismic Hazard Model, showing that nearly 75% of the United States could experience a damaging earthquake, emphasizing seismic hazards span a significant part of the country.

By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Earthquake Hazards Program, Earthquake Science Center, Geologic Hazards Science Center, Communications and Publishing
New USGS map shows where damaging earthquakes are most likely to occur in US

New USGS map shows where damaging earthquakes are most likely to occur in US

USGS scientists and our partners recently revealed the latest National Seismic Hazard Model, showing that nearly 75% of the United States could...

Read Article
ShakeAlert goes galactic!

ShakeAlert goes galactic!

Even space travelers need earthquake early warning

Read Article
ShakeOut 2022: Earthquake Awareness Enables Community Preparedness

ShakeOut 2022: Earthquake Awareness Enables Community Preparedness

Get ready to shake it like it’s real! ShakeOut 2022: Drop (or Lock), Cover, and Hold On!

Read Article
New USGS Model Shows Earthquake Hazard Probability for Hawaiian Islands

New USGS Model Shows Earthquake Hazard Probability for Hawaiian Islands

A new U.S. Geological Survey study indicates that the Hawaiian Islands, especially the Island of Hawaiʻi and neighboring islands with active volcanic...

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ShakeAlert Earthquake Early Warning Delivery for the Pacific Northwest

ShakeAlert Earthquake Early Warning Delivery for the Pacific Northwest

Starting May 4, 2021, ShakeAlert®-powered earthquake early warning alerts will be available to more than 50 million people in California, Oregon and...

Read Article
USGS Rolls Out Groundbreaking Earthquake Study: The HayWired Earthquake Scenario

USGS Rolls Out Groundbreaking Earthquake Study: The HayWired Earthquake Scenario

USGS collaborates with key academic, state, local, and industry partners to provide a new look at what could happen during a major earthquake in the...

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