United States earthquake map: M3.0+ in the contiguous states and Hawaii, M4.5+ in Alaska

What this map shows

Each circle is an earthquake epicentre. Size shows magnitude and colour shows depth. Select a circle for the date and time (UTC), magnitude, depth and source. The UTC date can differ by a day from the local date.

Included are events for which USGS names a U.S. state as the nearest reference. Territories such as Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Guam, and epicentres in Canada and Mexico, are not included. Events on the western side of the Aleutian Islands (east longitude) are also outside this map.

Alaska has very many events of M3.0 and above, which would make the map hard to read, so it is limited to M4.5 and above. Labels such as 'California area' follow the state name USGS gives as the nearest reference and are not administrative areas. Offshore epicentres are included.

Magnitudes are USGS values and may differ from announcements by regional networks and state agencies. For shaking intensity and damage, see USGS ShakeMap and announcements from state and local emergency agencies.

For shallow events at high elevation, the USGS depth is measured from sea level and can be negative (above sea level).

Questions and answers

Why are times in UTC?

The United States spans several time zones and a single local time would be misleading, so times are given in UTC.

Why is Alaska limited to M4.5 and above?

Alaska has very many earthquakes of M3.0 and above, and using the same threshold would make the map hard to read. Smaller events can be found in the USGS catalog.

When is it updated?

Daily, with events that USGS has reviewed. Preliminary (automatic) events are not shown.