Earthquakes and Seismic Hazards

U.S. Geological Survey

The Earthquake Hazards Program of the U.S. Geological Survey uses ArcGIS software to produce earthquake summary posters of significant earthquakes and special study maps of seismic hazards in the United States and elsewhere. These maps are used for a range of needs, from congressional presentations and college geology classes to city planning.

The poster of the M7.9 May 2008 China event concisely shows the impact of this devastating earthquake. Seismotectonic history compares the event with other large earthquakes. A close up of the epicentral region puts the event in cultural context, and the seismic hazard map puts the event in long-range planning context. Additional figures inform emergency responders and seismologists studying large earthquake rupture and provide a historical reference.

Map Book Page [PDF]

Public Safety Maps

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