Time is critical in a disaster. Every second matters. Knowing where hazards are and being able to alert people before they occur can save lives. The USGS has numerous systems in place to notify people of risk or impending dangerous conditions associated with natural hazards.
Living in Harm's Way
Theoretically, disasters could be avoided if people didn’t live in hazardous areas. However, realistically, that is impossible. Because no matter where people live, some form of natural hazard will likely threaten them at some point. Whether it is an earthquake, wildfire, flood, hurricane, eruption, or something else, Earth tends to throw people into harm’s way regardless of what we do. So, the best we can do is be prepared, and with the help of some innovative technologies, possibly get alerted of an impending threat.
Learn how USGS works with partners, emergency planners, and managers to provide hazard data alerts, forecasts, and monitoring and notification systems. From earthquakes to harmful algal blooms, USGS scientists are on the cutting edge in understanding when, where, and what we need to do to avoid loss.
Alerts
From wildfires to flooding to earthquake early warnings, USGS helps provide warnings in time to get ready and get out of harm’s way. You and your family can subscribe to many of them.
WaterAlert
ShakeAlert® Earthquake Early Warning
Alaska Harmful Algal Bloom Network
Volcano Updates
Notifications
In addition to monitoring, USGS actively works to notify people about possible threats. By raising awareness people can plan, act, and avoid threats from natural hazards. A few extra seconds can afford people time to act, whether this is evacuating or dropping, covering, and holding on.
Earthquakes Notification Service
Volcano Notification Service
WaterNow
Forecasting
In other cases, community alerts, forecasting, and drills give people critical time to prepare or avoid the disaster.
Postfire Debris Flows
Aftershock Forecast
Fire Danger Forecast
Forecasting Coastal Change
Informational Services
The USGS brings a range of expertise to observing potential threats in our Nation’s land, air, and water. Here are a few examples of real-time data we distribute free of charge.
Latest Earthquakes
Wildfire Conditions
National Water Dashboard
Current Volcano Activity
Citizen Science Observations
Citizen science allows you to contribute to science no matter where you are. Whether by asking questions, reporting observations, or collecting data, you and other members of the public can use your talents to help advance scientific knowledge.
Did You Feel It?
Report Volcanic Ash - Alaska
Report Nonindigenous Aquatic Species
WHISPers Wildlife Disease Reporting
Publications
How USGS gages are used in flood forecasting
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) operates an extensive nationwide network of stream, rain, and groundwater gages. These instruments are used to monitor how much water there is across the Nation at any given moment. Stream data are collected at streamgages every 15 minutes, transmitted to USGS servers, and updated online in real time. To improve awareness of current water conditions and possible f
Considerations for creating equitable and inclusive communication campaigns associated with ShakeAlert, the earthquake early warning system for the West Coast of the USA
ShakeAlert—An earthquake early warning system for the United States west coast
Impact-based earthquake alerts with the U.S. Geological Survey's PAGER system: what's next?
The USGS Earthquake Notification Service (ENS): Customizable notifications of earthquakes around the globe
Science
Earthquake Early Warning - Overview
Earthquake Early Warning – Fine-Tuning for Best Alerts
The Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Alert Risk Mapper (ARM)
ShakeAlert
National Alert Risk Mapper for Nonindigenous Aquatic Species
How USGS gages are used in flood forecasting
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) operates an extensive nationwide network of stream, rain, and groundwater gages. These instruments are used to monitor how much water there is across the Nation at any given moment. Stream data are collected at streamgages every 15 minutes, transmitted to USGS servers, and updated online in real time. To improve awareness of current water conditions and possible f
Considerations for creating equitable and inclusive communication campaigns associated with ShakeAlert, the earthquake early warning system for the West Coast of the USA
ShakeAlert—An earthquake early warning system for the United States west coast
Impact-based earthquake alerts with the U.S. Geological Survey's PAGER system: what's next?
The USGS Earthquake Notification Service (ENS): Customizable notifications of earthquakes around the globe
System designed for issuing landslide alerts in the San Francisco Bay area
Earthquake Early Warning - Overview
Earthquake Early Warning – Fine-Tuning for Best Alerts
The Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Alert Risk Mapper (ARM)
ShakeAlert
National Alert Risk Mapper for Nonindigenous Aquatic Species
Volcano Notification Service (VNS)
WaterAlert and USGS Water Data for the Nation
Assessing Seasonal Wildfire Forecasting Methods in Alaska
Operational Earthquake Forecasting – Implementing a Real-Time System for California
USGS offers a wide variety of alerts and notifications to keep us all aware and safe from hazardous situations.
WaterAlert
The U.S. Geological Survey WaterAlert service provides notifications to your email or phone for changes in water conditions based on thresholds you choose.
Volcano Notification Service (VNS)
The Volcano Notification Service (VNS) is a free service that sends you notification emails about volcanic activity happening at US monitored volcanoes. You can customize the VNS to only deliver notifications for certain volcanoes, or a range of volcanoes, as well as choose the separate notification types you want to receive.
Earthquake Notifications, Feeds, and Web Services
Know about earthquakes just after they happen in real-time via txt message, email, or social media. Plus, get everything you might need to add these earthquake alerts into your own web applications.
Did You Feel It?
Did You Feel It? (DYFI) collects information from people who felt an earthquake and creates a shaking intensity map. Visit the Web Tool to report your experience with an earthquake or to see the shaking intensity map created by the felt reports.
Search Earthquake Catalog
Find past earthquakes and earthquake lists from specific locations and time windows. Results available in a variety of formats.
U.S. Geological Survey COVID-19 Wastewater Surveillance
USGS, as part of the National Wastewater Surveillance System, designed and implemented high-frequency sampling of wastewater across six states throughout September 2021, to support tracking of potential increases in COVID-19 infections in communities. COVID-19 viral loads were determined for each sample with the goal of delivering results to the CDC within three days of sampling.
National Water Dashboard (NWD)
The National Water Dashboard (NWD) is a mobile, interactive tool that provides real-time information on water levels, weather, and flood forecasts - all in one place on a computer, smartphone, or other mobile device. The NWD presents real-time stream, lake and reservoir, precipitation, and groundwater data from more than 13,500 USGS observation stations across the country.
Coastal Change Hazards Portal
Interactive access to coastal change science and data for our Nation’s coasts. Information and products are organized within three coastal change hazard themes: 1) extreme storms, 2) shoreline change, and 3) sea-level rise. Displays probabilities of coastal erosion.
ShakeAlert Infographic: Detect, Deliver, Protect
-
A ShakeAlert Message is an early warning from a network system that detects significant earthquakes quickly enough so that alerts can be delivered to people and automated systems potentially seconds before shaking arrives. ShakeAlert Messages are a product of the Advanced National Seismic System (ANSS).
Why is it important to monitor volcanoes?
There are 161 potentially active volcanoes in the United States. According to a 2018 USGS assessment, 57 volcanoes are a high threat or very high threat to public safety. Many of these volcanoes have erupted in the recent past and will erupt again in the foreseeable future. As populations increase, areas near volcanoes are being developed and aviation routes are increasing. As a result, more...
How can I obtain river forecasts (flood forecasts)?
River forecasts (flood forecasts) are made by the National Weather Service River Forecast Centers and released through local Weather Service Offices. This NOAA website has a map showing the location of the forecast centers, their areas of responsibility, and by clicking into a region the location of the gages they use. The also provide a section for long-range river flood risk. The vast majority...
Why is elevation data so important to forecasting hurricane impact?
The fundamental lesson of Hurricane Sandy in 2012 (and prior catastrophic storms and hurricanes) was that storm vulnerability is first and foremost a consequence of elevation. The height at which infrastructure, resources, and communities sit in relation to average tides and water levels, storm waves, surge, and flood waters determines their exposure to overwhelmingly powerful damaging forces...
What is the difference between earthquake early warning, earthquake forecasts, earthquake probabilities, and earthquake prediction?
The USGS uses these four terms to refer to four different things. Early warning is a notification that is issued after an earthquake starts. Probabilities and forecasts are comparable to climate probabilities and weather forecasts, while predictions are more like statements of when, where, and how large, which is not yet possible for earthquakes. Here are more detailed descriptions of each...
Can the National Seismic Hazard Maps be used as an earthquake forecast tool for the near future?
Not really. The USGS Seismic Hazard Maps website and the Unified Hazard Tool (for building custom maps) are designed to display the probability of different events that might occur in a several-year to several-decade period. The model bases all probability estimates on the average rate of earthquakes over long periods of time. As you shorten the time window, you should expect greater and greater...
How are floods predicted?
Flood predictions require several types of data: The amount of rainfall occurring on a real-time basis. The rate of change in river stage on a real-time basis, which can help indicate the severity and immediacy of the threat. Knowledge about the type of storm producing the moisture, such as duration, intensity and areal extent, which can be valuable for determining possible severity of the...
Can you predict earthquakes?
No. Neither the USGS nor any other scientists have ever predicted a major earthquake. We do not know how, and we do not expect to know how any time in the foreseeable future. USGS scientists can only calculate the probability that a significant earthquake will occur (shown on our hazard mapping) in a specific area within a certain number of years. An earthquake prediction must define 3 elements: 1...
Can animals predict earthquakes?
The earliest reference we have to unusual animal behavior prior to a significant earthquake is from Greece in 373 BC. Rats, weasels, snakes, and centipedes reportedly left their homes and headed for safety several days before a destructive earthquake. Anecdotal evidence abounds of animals, fish, birds, reptiles, and insects exhibiting strange behavior anywhere from weeks to seconds before an...
How do I sign up for the ShakeAlert® Earthquake Early Warning System?
How do I sign up to receive ShakeAlert®-powered Alerts on my phone? Provider Type Apple Store/Google Play Link States USGS/FEMA Wireless Emergency Alerts N/A FEMA | WEA CA/OR/WA MyShakeTM Mobile App Y/Y MyShake CA/OR/WA QuakeAlertUSA Mobile App Y/Y QuakeAlertUSA CA/OR Google Android Operating System N/A Google CA/OR/WA San Diego Emergency (SD Emergency) with ShakeReadySD Mobile App Y/Y Ready San...
Is there a way to get alerts about streamflow conditions?
Yes! The U.S. Geological Survey WaterAlert service provides notifications to your email or phone for changes in water conditions based on thresholds you choose.
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?
Please go to the USGS Earthquake Notification Services (ENS) to sign up for free emails or text messages to your phone. Use the default settings or customize ENS to fit your needs. Also check out the many different Earthquake Feeds. ENS is NOT an earthquake early warning system. Messages issued by ENS will almost always arrive after you would feel any shaking. Learn more: How do I sign up for...
How quickly is earthquake information posted to the USGS website and sent out via the Earthquake Notification Service (ENS) and other feeds?
USGS earthquake information mechanisms are all triggered by the same system, so they all receive the information at the same time. The time it takes for the system to receive the information primarily depends on the size and location of the earthquake:An earthquake in California is processed and posted to the system in 2.5 minutes (on average). This is because our seismic network is very extensive...
- Overview
Living in Harm's Way
Theoretically, disasters could be avoided if people didn’t live in hazardous areas. However, realistically, that is impossible. Because no matter where people live, some form of natural hazard will likely threaten them at some point. Whether it is an earthquake, wildfire, flood, hurricane, eruption, or something else, Earth tends to throw people into harm’s way regardless of what we do. So, the best we can do is be prepared, and with the help of some innovative technologies, possibly get alerted of an impending threat.
Learn how USGS works with partners, emergency planners, and managers to provide hazard data alerts, forecasts, and monitoring and notification systems. From earthquakes to harmful algal blooms, USGS scientists are on the cutting edge in understanding when, where, and what we need to do to avoid loss.
Alerts
From wildfires to flooding to earthquake early warnings, USGS helps provide warnings in time to get ready and get out of harm’s way. You and your family can subscribe to many of them.
WaterAlertWaterAlertShakeAlert® Earthquake Early WarningShakeAlert® Earthquake Early WarningAlaska Harmful Algal Bloom NetworkAlaska Harmful Algal Bloom NetworkVolcano UpdatesVolcano UpdatesNotifications
In addition to monitoring, USGS actively works to notify people about possible threats. By raising awareness people can plan, act, and avoid threats from natural hazards. A few extra seconds can afford people time to act, whether this is evacuating or dropping, covering, and holding on.
Earthquakes Notification ServiceEarthquakes Notification ServiceVolcano Notification ServiceVolcano Notification ServiceWaterNowWaterNowForecasting
In other cases, community alerts, forecasting, and drills give people critical time to prepare or avoid the disaster.
Postfire Debris FlowsPostfire Debris FlowsAftershock ForecastAftershock ForecastFire Danger ForecastFire Danger ForecastForecasting Coastal ChangeForecasting Coastal ChangeInformational Services
The USGS brings a range of expertise to observing potential threats in our Nation’s land, air, and water. Here are a few examples of real-time data we distribute free of charge.
Latest EarthquakesLatest EarthquakesWildfire ConditionsWildfire ConditionsNational Water DashboardNational Water DashboardCurrent Volcano ActivityCurrent Volcano ActivityCitizen Science Observations
Citizen science allows you to contribute to science no matter where you are. Whether by asking questions, reporting observations, or collecting data, you and other members of the public can use your talents to help advance scientific knowledge.
Did You Feel It?Did You Feel It?Report Volcanic Ash - AlaskaReport Volcanic Ash - AlaskaReport Nonindigenous Aquatic SpeciesReport Nonindigenous Aquatic SpeciesWHISPers Wildlife Disease ReportingWHISPers Wildlife Disease ReportingPublications
How USGS gages are used in flood forecasting
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) operates an extensive nationwide network of stream, rain, and groundwater gages. These instruments are used to monitor how much water there is across the Nation at any given moment. Stream data are collected at streamgages every 15 minutes, transmitted to USGS servers, and updated online in real time. To improve awareness of current water conditions and possible f
AuthorsSteven SobieszczykConsiderations for creating equitable and inclusive communication campaigns associated with ShakeAlert, the earthquake early warning system for the West Coast of the USA
PurposeThe 2019 Global Assessment Report on Disaster Risk Reduction (GAR) cites earthquakes as the most damaging natural hazard globally, causing billions of dollars of damage and killing thousands of people. Earthquakes have the potential to drastically impact physical, social and economic landscapes; to reduce this risk, earthquake early warning (EEW) systems have been developed. However, theseAuthorsMariah Ramona Jenkins, Sara McBride, Meredith Morgoch, Hollie SmithShakeAlert—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 collaboAuthorsErin R. Burkett, Douglas D. Given, Lucile M. JonesImpact-based earthquake alerts with the U.S. Geological Survey's PAGER system: what's next?
In September 2010, the USGS began publicly releasing earthquake alerts for significant earthquakes around the globe based on estimates of potential casualties and economic losses with its Prompt Assessment of Global Earthquakes for Response (PAGER) system. These estimates significantly enhanced the utility of the USGS PAGER system which had been, since 2006, providing estimated population exposureAuthorsD. J. Wald, K. S. Jaiswal, K. D. Marano, D. Garcia, E. So, M. HearneThe USGS Earthquake Notification Service (ENS): Customizable notifications of earthquakes around the globe
At the beginning of 2006, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Earthquake Hazards Program (EHP) introduced a new automated Earthquake Notification Service (ENS) to take the place of the National Earthquake Information Center (NEIC) "Bigquake" system and the various other individual EHP e-mail list-servers for separate regions in the United States. These included northern California, southern CalifornAuthorsLisa A. Wald, David J. Wald, Stan Schwarz, Bruce Presgrave, Paul S. Earle, Eric Martinez, David OppenheimerScience
Earthquake Early Warning - Overview
USGS is actively pursuing research in earthquake early warning.Earthquake Early Warning – Fine-Tuning for Best Alerts
Release Date: OCTOBER 8, 2019 The goal of an earthquake early warning (EEW) system is to provide an alert to people and automatic systems after an earthquake begins but before the shaking reaches their location. As the USGS and its partners are developing an EEW system, called ShakeAlert®, for the West Coast, the benefits, costs, capabilities, and limitations are being investigated. Two recent...The Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Alert Risk Mapper (ARM)
The Nonindigenous Aquatic Species (NAS) program has developed a new tool, the NAS Alert Risk Mapper (ARM), to characterize waterbodies in the conterminous U.S. and Hawaii at potential risk of invasion from a new nonindigenous species sighting.ShakeAlert
The USGS ShakeAlert Earthquake Early Warning System uses earthquake science and technology to detect significant earthquakes quickly so that alerts can reach many people before shaking arrives. The seconds to tens of seconds of advance warning can allow people and systems to take actions to protect life and property from destructive shaking.National Alert Risk Mapper for Nonindigenous Aquatic Species
The Nonindigenous Aquatic Species (NAS) Database and Alert System (https://nas.er.usgs.gov/default.aspx) provides a framework for the rapid dissemination of new invasions as they are incorporated into the NAS Database. The system notifies registered users of new sightings of >1,330 non-native aquatic species as part of national-scale early detection and rapid response systems (EDRR), and in suppor - Publications
How USGS gages are used in flood forecasting
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) operates an extensive nationwide network of stream, rain, and groundwater gages. These instruments are used to monitor how much water there is across the Nation at any given moment. Stream data are collected at streamgages every 15 minutes, transmitted to USGS servers, and updated online in real time. To improve awareness of current water conditions and possible f
AuthorsSteven SobieszczykConsiderations for creating equitable and inclusive communication campaigns associated with ShakeAlert, the earthquake early warning system for the West Coast of the USA
PurposeThe 2019 Global Assessment Report on Disaster Risk Reduction (GAR) cites earthquakes as the most damaging natural hazard globally, causing billions of dollars of damage and killing thousands of people. Earthquakes have the potential to drastically impact physical, social and economic landscapes; to reduce this risk, earthquake early warning (EEW) systems have been developed. However, theseAuthorsMariah Ramona Jenkins, Sara McBride, Meredith Morgoch, Hollie SmithShakeAlert—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 collaboAuthorsErin R. Burkett, Douglas D. Given, Lucile M. JonesImpact-based earthquake alerts with the U.S. Geological Survey's PAGER system: what's next?
In September 2010, the USGS began publicly releasing earthquake alerts for significant earthquakes around the globe based on estimates of potential casualties and economic losses with its Prompt Assessment of Global Earthquakes for Response (PAGER) system. These estimates significantly enhanced the utility of the USGS PAGER system which had been, since 2006, providing estimated population exposureAuthorsD. J. Wald, K. S. Jaiswal, K. D. Marano, D. Garcia, E. So, M. HearneThe USGS Earthquake Notification Service (ENS): Customizable notifications of earthquakes around the globe
At the beginning of 2006, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Earthquake Hazards Program (EHP) introduced a new automated Earthquake Notification Service (ENS) to take the place of the National Earthquake Information Center (NEIC) "Bigquake" system and the various other individual EHP e-mail list-servers for separate regions in the United States. These included northern California, southern CalifornAuthorsLisa A. Wald, David J. Wald, Stan Schwarz, Bruce Presgrave, Paul S. Earle, Eric Martinez, David OppenheimerSystem designed for issuing landslide alerts in the San Francisco Bay area
A system for forecasting landslides during major storms has been developed for the San Francisco Bay area by the U.S Geological Survey and was successfully tested during heavy storms in the bay area during February 1986. Based on the forecasts provided by the USGS, the National Weather Service (NWS) included landslide warnings in its regular weather forecasts or in special weather statements transAuthorsD. Finley - Science
Earthquake Early Warning - Overview
USGS is actively pursuing research in earthquake early warning.Earthquake Early Warning – Fine-Tuning for Best Alerts
Release Date: OCTOBER 8, 2019 The goal of an earthquake early warning (EEW) system is to provide an alert to people and automatic systems after an earthquake begins but before the shaking reaches their location. As the USGS and its partners are developing an EEW system, called ShakeAlert®, for the West Coast, the benefits, costs, capabilities, and limitations are being investigated. Two recent...The Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Alert Risk Mapper (ARM)
The Nonindigenous Aquatic Species (NAS) program has developed a new tool, the NAS Alert Risk Mapper (ARM), to characterize waterbodies in the conterminous U.S. and Hawaii at potential risk of invasion from a new nonindigenous species sighting.ShakeAlert
The USGS ShakeAlert Earthquake Early Warning System uses earthquake science and technology to detect significant earthquakes quickly so that alerts can reach many people before shaking arrives. The seconds to tens of seconds of advance warning can allow people and systems to take actions to protect life and property from destructive shaking.National Alert Risk Mapper for Nonindigenous Aquatic Species
The Nonindigenous Aquatic Species (NAS) Database and Alert System (https://nas.er.usgs.gov/default.aspx) provides a framework for the rapid dissemination of new invasions as they are incorporated into the NAS Database. The system notifies registered users of new sightings of >1,330 non-native aquatic species as part of national-scale early detection and rapid response systems (EDRR), and in supporVolcano Notification Service (VNS)
The Volcano Notification Service (VNS) is a free service that sends you notification emails about volcanic activity happening at US monitored volcanoes.WaterAlert and USGS Water Data for the Nation
USGS WaterAlert service sends e-mail or text (SMS) messages when certain parameters exceed user-definable thresholds for any USGS real-time stream or raingage, water-quality, or groundwater monitoring site. USGS Water Data for the Nation sites provide access to water-resources data collected at approximately 1.9 million sites in all 50 States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin...Assessing Seasonal Wildfire Forecasting Methods in Alaska
In Alaska, increased wildfire activity has been linked to warming temperatures. Summers with extreme wildfire activity threaten life and property, clog the air with smoke, and challenge the state’s wildland firefighters. While the largest fires are often started by lightning and burn in remote areas, these fires require significant resources to fight when they threaten life and property. IncreasOperational Earthquake Forecasting – Implementing a Real-Time System for California
It is well know that every earthquake can spawn others (e.g., as aftershocks), and that such triggered events can be large and damaging, as recently demonstrated by L’Aquila, Italy and Christchurch, New Zealand earthquakes. In spite of being an explicit USGS strategic-action priority (http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2012/1088; page 32), the USGS currently lacks an automated system with which to forecast s... - Data and More
USGS offers a wide variety of alerts and notifications to keep us all aware and safe from hazardous situations.
WaterAlert
The U.S. Geological Survey WaterAlert service provides notifications to your email or phone for changes in water conditions based on thresholds you choose.
ByWater Resources Mission Area, Kansas Water Science Center, New Jersey Water Science Center, New York Water Science Center, Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Water Science Center, Oregon Water Science Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center, Wyoming-Montana Water Science Center, Hydrologic Instrumentation Facility (HIF), National Water Quality Laboratory, Water Science SchoolVolcano Notification Service (VNS)
The Volcano Notification Service (VNS) is a free service that sends you notification emails about volcanic activity happening at US monitored volcanoes. You can customize the VNS to only deliver notifications for certain volcanoes, or a range of volcanoes, as well as choose the separate notification types you want to receive.
Earthquake Notifications, Feeds, and Web Services
Know about earthquakes just after they happen in real-time via txt message, email, or social media. Plus, get everything you might need to add these earthquake alerts into your own web applications.
Did You Feel It?
Did You Feel It? (DYFI) collects information from people who felt an earthquake and creates a shaking intensity map. Visit the Web Tool to report your experience with an earthquake or to see the shaking intensity map created by the felt reports.
Search Earthquake Catalog
Find past earthquakes and earthquake lists from specific locations and time windows. Results available in a variety of formats.
U.S. Geological Survey COVID-19 Wastewater Surveillance
USGS, as part of the National Wastewater Surveillance System, designed and implemented high-frequency sampling of wastewater across six states throughout September 2021, to support tracking of potential increases in COVID-19 infections in communities. COVID-19 viral loads were determined for each sample with the goal of delivering results to the CDC within three days of sampling.
National Water Dashboard (NWD)
The National Water Dashboard (NWD) is a mobile, interactive tool that provides real-time information on water levels, weather, and flood forecasts - all in one place on a computer, smartphone, or other mobile device. The NWD presents real-time stream, lake and reservoir, precipitation, and groundwater data from more than 13,500 USGS observation stations across the country.
ByWater Resources Mission Area, Alaska Science Center, Arizona Water Science Center, California Water Science Center, Caribbean-Florida Water Science Center (CFWSC), Central Midwest Water Science Center, Colorado Water Science Center, Dakota Water Science Center, Idaho Water Science Center, Kansas Water Science Center, Lower Mississippi-Gulf Water Science Center, Maryland-Delaware-D.C. Water Science Center, Nebraska Water Science Center, Nevada Water Science Center, New England Water Science Center, New Jersey Water Science Center, New Mexico Water Science Center, New York Water Science Center, Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Water Science Center, Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center, Oregon Water Science Center, Pacific Islands Water Science Center, Pennsylvania Water Science Center, South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC), Upper Midwest Water Science Center, Utah Water Science Center, Virginia and West Virginia Water Science Center, Washington Water Science Center, Wyoming-Montana Water Science Center, Hydrologic Instrumentation Facility (HIF), Saline Lakes Ecosystems Integrated Water Availability AssessmentCoastal Change Hazards Portal
Interactive access to coastal change science and data for our Nation’s coasts. Information and products are organized within three coastal change hazard themes: 1) extreme storms, 2) shoreline change, and 3) sea-level rise. Displays probabilities of coastal erosion.
ByNatural Hazards Mission Area, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center, Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center, Gulf of Mexico, Hurricane Dorian, Hurricane Harvey, Hurricane Ian, Hurricane Irma, Hurricane Isaias, Hurricane Jose, Hurricane Laura, Hurricane Marco, Hurricane Maria, Hurricane Matthew, Hurricane Michael, Hurricane Nate, Hurricane Sandy, Hurricanes - Multimedia
ShakeAlert Infographic: Detect, Deliver, Protect
-
A ShakeAlert Message is an early warning from a network system that detects significant earthquakes quickly enough so that alerts can be delivered to people and automated systems potentially seconds before shaking arrives. ShakeAlert Messages are a product of the Advanced National Seismic System (ANSS).
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- News
- Connect
- FAQ
Why is it important to monitor volcanoes?
There are 161 potentially active volcanoes in the United States. According to a 2018 USGS assessment, 57 volcanoes are a high threat or very high threat to public safety. Many of these volcanoes have erupted in the recent past and will erupt again in the foreseeable future. As populations increase, areas near volcanoes are being developed and aviation routes are increasing. As a result, more...
How can I obtain river forecasts (flood forecasts)?
River forecasts (flood forecasts) are made by the National Weather Service River Forecast Centers and released through local Weather Service Offices. This NOAA website has a map showing the location of the forecast centers, their areas of responsibility, and by clicking into a region the location of the gages they use. The also provide a section for long-range river flood risk. The vast majority...
Why is elevation data so important to forecasting hurricane impact?
The fundamental lesson of Hurricane Sandy in 2012 (and prior catastrophic storms and hurricanes) was that storm vulnerability is first and foremost a consequence of elevation. The height at which infrastructure, resources, and communities sit in relation to average tides and water levels, storm waves, surge, and flood waters determines their exposure to overwhelmingly powerful damaging forces...
What is the difference between earthquake early warning, earthquake forecasts, earthquake probabilities, and earthquake prediction?
The USGS uses these four terms to refer to four different things. Early warning is a notification that is issued after an earthquake starts. Probabilities and forecasts are comparable to climate probabilities and weather forecasts, while predictions are more like statements of when, where, and how large, which is not yet possible for earthquakes. Here are more detailed descriptions of each...
Can the National Seismic Hazard Maps be used as an earthquake forecast tool for the near future?
Not really. The USGS Seismic Hazard Maps website and the Unified Hazard Tool (for building custom maps) are designed to display the probability of different events that might occur in a several-year to several-decade period. The model bases all probability estimates on the average rate of earthquakes over long periods of time. As you shorten the time window, you should expect greater and greater...
How are floods predicted?
Flood predictions require several types of data: The amount of rainfall occurring on a real-time basis. The rate of change in river stage on a real-time basis, which can help indicate the severity and immediacy of the threat. Knowledge about the type of storm producing the moisture, such as duration, intensity and areal extent, which can be valuable for determining possible severity of the...
Can you predict earthquakes?
No. Neither the USGS nor any other scientists have ever predicted a major earthquake. We do not know how, and we do not expect to know how any time in the foreseeable future. USGS scientists can only calculate the probability that a significant earthquake will occur (shown on our hazard mapping) in a specific area within a certain number of years. An earthquake prediction must define 3 elements: 1...
Can animals predict earthquakes?
The earliest reference we have to unusual animal behavior prior to a significant earthquake is from Greece in 373 BC. Rats, weasels, snakes, and centipedes reportedly left their homes and headed for safety several days before a destructive earthquake. Anecdotal evidence abounds of animals, fish, birds, reptiles, and insects exhibiting strange behavior anywhere from weeks to seconds before an...
How do I sign up for the ShakeAlert® Earthquake Early Warning System?
How do I sign up to receive ShakeAlert®-powered Alerts on my phone? Provider Type Apple Store/Google Play Link States USGS/FEMA Wireless Emergency Alerts N/A FEMA | WEA CA/OR/WA MyShakeTM Mobile App Y/Y MyShake CA/OR/WA QuakeAlertUSA Mobile App Y/Y QuakeAlertUSA CA/OR Google Android Operating System N/A Google CA/OR/WA San Diego Emergency (SD Emergency) with ShakeReadySD Mobile App Y/Y Ready San...
Is there a way to get alerts about streamflow conditions?
Yes! The U.S. Geological Survey WaterAlert service provides notifications to your email or phone for changes in water conditions based on thresholds you choose.
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?
Please go to the USGS Earthquake Notification Services (ENS) to sign up for free emails or text messages to your phone. Use the default settings or customize ENS to fit your needs. Also check out the many different Earthquake Feeds. ENS is NOT an earthquake early warning system. Messages issued by ENS will almost always arrive after you would feel any shaking. Learn more: How do I sign up for...
How quickly is earthquake information posted to the USGS website and sent out via the Earthquake Notification Service (ENS) and other feeds?
USGS earthquake information mechanisms are all triggered by the same system, so they all receive the information at the same time. The time it takes for the system to receive the information primarily depends on the size and location of the earthquake:An earthquake in California is processed and posted to the system in 2.5 minutes (on average). This is because our seismic network is very extensive...