Earthquake FAQ
Is Tremorpulse's earthquake data real-time?
It's near real-time. The USGS typically publishes automated earthquake detections within seconds to a few minutes of an event, and this site refreshes its cache every 60 seconds on top of that.
Why did an earthquake's magnitude change after I refreshed the page?
Initial magnitude estimates are automated and can be revised by seismologists as more seismograph readings are reviewed, sometimes for hours after an event. This reflects USGS's own review process, not an error on this site.
What counts as a "significant" earthquake?
USGS flags earthquakes as significant using a combination of magnitude, number of felt reports, proximity to populated areas, and potential impact — not magnitude alone. A moderate quake near a major city can be flagged significant while a larger one in a remote area is not.
Does a bigger magnitude always mean more damage?
No. Damage depends on magnitude, depth, distance from populated areas, local soil conditions, and construction standards. See our magnitude guide for details.
What is an aftershock?
An aftershock is a smaller earthquake that follows a larger "mainshock" in the same area, caused by the crust adjusting to the stress change from the main event. Aftershocks can continue for days, months, or occasionally years.
Can this site predict earthquakes?
No. Earthquakes cannot currently be reliably predicted by any scientific method. This site only reports events that have already been detected by seismographic networks.