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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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Seismic Fact Sheets

Introduction to the Hazard Models
What are the USGS National Seismic Hazard Models 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.

Related

Seismic Landslide Hazard for the Cities of Oakland and Piedmont, California 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...
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Earthquake Hazards Program, Landslide Hazards Program, Geologic Hazards Science Center

Seismic-hazard maps for Hawaii 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...

Seismic-hazard maps for Alaska and the Aleutian Islands 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...

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

No abstract available.
No results found.

United States National Seismic Hazard Maps 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...
Authors
M.D. Petersen

Progress toward a safer future since the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake Progress toward a safer future since the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake

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

What to Expect in a Big Urban Earthquake 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 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
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 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
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...

Read Article

Related

Seismic Landslide Hazard for the Cities of Oakland and Piedmont, California 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...
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Earthquake Hazards Program, Landslide Hazards Program, Geologic Hazards Science Center

Seismic-hazard maps for Hawaii 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...

Seismic-hazard maps for Alaska and the Aleutian Islands 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...

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

No abstract available.
No results found.

United States National Seismic Hazard Maps 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...
Authors
M.D. Petersen

Progress toward a safer future since the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake Progress toward a safer future since the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake

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

What to Expect in a Big Urban Earthquake 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 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
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 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
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...

Read Article
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