Live earthquake map: latest earthquakes worldwide (USGS)

Latest earthquakes worldwide over 24 hours, 7 or 30 days: map, magnitude, depth, local time and distance from an address, from USGS data.

Reading an earthquake: magnitude, depth and epicentre distance

Magnitude measures the energy released at the source: each whole step means about 32 times more energy, so a magnitude 6 earthquake releases about 1,000 times more energy than a magnitude 4. The tool shows earthquakes published by the USGS (United States Geological Survey), whose feeds are regenerated every minute.

What the tool shows

Three USGS GeoJSON feeds to choose from: all earthquakes in the past 24 hours, magnitude 2.5 and above over 7 days, or significant earthquakes over 30 days. For each one: magnitude and its type (ml, md, mww…), the place published by the USGS, time converted to your time zone, focal depth and a link to the event page. With an address in France, the tool computes the straight-line distance with the haversine formula, on an Earth of radius 6,371 km, and can sort earthquakes from nearest to farthest.

Worked example

On 14/10/2026 the significant-earthquakes feed listed 14 events, including a magnitude 6.8 (mww) on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge at 10 km depth. From Paris, its epicentre was about 5,860 km away. A magnitude 6.8 releases about 32 × 32 = 1,000 times more energy than a magnitude 4.8.

Limits

  • First values are computed automatically (status “automatic”) and may be revised after review by a seismologist (status “reviewed”).
  • Outside the United States the network does not detect every small earthquake: the 24-hour feed is mostly complete for North America.
  • The map is a simplified background, not an accurate coastline map.
  • The tool informs; it does not replace official instructions during an earthquake or tsunami warning.

Sources and dates: USGS, earthquake GeoJSON feeds; USGS, ComCat event terms; USGS FAQ “Moment magnitude, Richter scale” (checked 15/10/2026)

Frequently Asked Questions

At what magnitude can you feel an earthquake?

Below 2.5 an earthquake is usually not felt; between 2.5 and 4.5 it may be felt near the epicentre without causing damage. Above 6 it can cause serious damage in populated areas, depending on depth and building quality.

What is the difference between Richter and moment magnitude?

The Richter scale (1935) saturates for large earthquakes and is no longer used as such. Moment magnitude (Mw) is computed from the area of the fault that slipped and the amount of slip, and stays valid for the largest earthquakes; the USGS uses it for moderate and large events. Both scales give similar values for mid-sized earthquakes.

Why does earthquake depth matter?

For the same magnitude, a shallow earthquake (under 70 km) shakes the surface harder than a deep one, because waves lose energy on the way up. The deepest earthquakes reach about 700 km beneath subduction zones and rarely cause damage.

How many earthquakes happen every day worldwide?

The USGS 24-hour feed usually lists a few hundred, most below magnitude 2.5 and located in the United States, where the network is densest. On 14/10/2026 it listed 224, and the 7-day feed 371 of magnitude 2.5 or more.

Is this tool really free?

Yes, all tools on Kristools are 100% free and accessible without registration.

Is my data protected?

Yes. All processing is performed directly and securely inside your browser. No personal data is sent to our servers.