The map shows epicentres on Earth’s surface. Each event also has an estimated starting depth and a magnitude describing its size. These quantities differ: a deeper earthquake is not automatically a larger one.
Earth and geology · Discover & try
Where do earthquakes happen?
Reading level 4 of 5 · FluentChange
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Epicentre
The point on Earth’s surface above an earthquake’s starting location.
Magnitude
A measure of an earthquake’s size.
Depth
The estimated distance of an earthquake’s starting location below the surface.
Watch · Try · Explain
See how it works
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Historical USGS sample: 150 earthquakes, magnitude 4.5 or greater, 1–6 October 2025. Reference plate boundaries are not a risk forecast.
What to look for
- Compare the dated event dots with plate boundaries.
- Filter magnitude and depth separately.
- Check the dates and selection limits before drawing a conclusion.
Explain what you noticed
What can this historical map help us investigate?
Keep this idea: Many earthquakes cluster near plate boundaries, but the map is a historical sample rather than a prediction.
Follow the sources
- U.S. Geological Survey — The Science of Earthquakes
- U.S. Geological Survey — GeoJSON Summary Format
- U.S. Geological Survey — Earthquake Catalog: API Documentation
Source material checked 2026-10-28. Explanations and activities by Nepedia. Agency source links do not imply endorsement.
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