How Earthquakes Work – Magnitude, Depth & Tectonic Plates

How Earthquakes WorkAn explainer on how earthquakes form at tectonic plate boundaries, how magnitude is measured, what focal depth in kilometres means, and why shallow quakes cause more damage.Data source: USGS Earthquake Hazards Program. Enable JavaScript for the live interactive map.

Live Earthquake Tracker – Earthquakes Today
Recent Earthquakes
Notable Earthquakes
Earthquake Safety Tips
Earthquake FAQs
About Earthquake Trackers
Terms of Service
Privacy Policy
Earthquakes Today
Earthquakes in Japan Today
Earthquakes in California Today
Earthquakes in Indonesia Today
Earthquakes in Turkey Today
Earthquakes in Chile Today
Earthquakes in Philippines Today
Earthquakes in Mexico Today
Earthquakes in Alaska Today
Earthquakes in New Zealand Today
Earthquakes in Italy Today
M5.9 Earthquake — 68 km SW of Calang, Acehjaya, Indonesia
M6.1 Earthquake — 14 km SW of Kodi, Sumbabaratdaya, NTT, Indonesia
M5.3 Earthquake — 25 km east of New Plymouth, New Zealand
M5.3 Earthquake — 0 km NNE of Yōkaichiba, Japan
M5.6 Earthquake — 74 km S of Yonakuni, Japan
M5.6 Earthquake — 915 km south-west of Invercargill, New Zealand
M6.6 Earthquake — 80 km ENE of Tadine, New Caledonia
M5.3 Earthquake — 34 km NE of Ruteng, Manggarai, NTT, Indonesia
M6.4 Earthquake — 49 km NNE of Kainantu, Papua New Guinea
M5.2 Earthquake — 28 km NE of Villa Presidente Frei, Chile
M6.5 Earthquake — 169 km W of Nikolski, Alaska
M5.9 Earthquake — 6 km SE of Kepseribu, DKI, Indonesia
M6.2 Earthquake — 166 km NE of Malukubrtdaya, Indonesia
M5.3 Earthquake — 151 km WSW of Adak, Alaska
M7.0 Earthquake — 68 km ENE of Tadine, New Caledonia
M6.4 Earthquake — 163 km WSW of Nikolski, Alaska
M6.3 Earthquake — 167 km W of Nikolski, Alaska
M6.2 Earthquake — 42 km NE of Pulaudoi, Malut, Indonesia
M5.8 Earthquake — 165 km SSE of Vilyuchinsk, Russia
M5.7 Earthquake — 180 km NW of Hihifo, Tonga
M5.7 Earthquake — south of Africa
M5.7 Earthquake — 152 km SW of Adak, Alaska
M5.6 Earthquake — 94 km SW of Tamarindo, Costa Rica
M5.6 Earthquake — southern Mid-Atlantic Ridge
M5.6 Earthquake — 74 km ESE of Kokopo, Papua New Guinea
M5.6 Earthquake — 186 km SW of Bayah, Banten, Indonesia
M5.5 Earthquake — Volcano Islands, Japan region
M5.5 Earthquake — 204 km WSW of Port McNeill, Canada
M5.5 Earthquake — 61 km ENE of Tadine, New Caledonia
M5.5 Earthquake — Kermadec Islands region
M5.5 Earthquake — southeast of the Loyalty Islands
M5.4 Earthquake — Balleny Islands region
M5.4 Earthquake — 99 km SSE of Pangai, Tonga
M5.4 Earthquake — north of Svalbard
M5.4 Earthquake — 231 km WSW of Port McNeill, Canada
M5.4 Earthquake — 69 km ENE of Tadine, New Caledonia
M5.4 Earthquake — 68 km NNE of Kainantu, Papua New Guinea
M5.4 Earthquake — southern East Pacific Rise
M5.3 Earthquake — 219 km NE of Tarakan, Kaltara, Indonesia
M5.3 Earthquake — central Mid-Atlantic Ridge
M5.3 Earthquake — 76 km NE of Tadine, New Caledonia
M5.3 Earthquake — 60 km NE of Tadine, New Caledonia
M5.3 Earthquake — 58 km ENE of Tadine, New Caledonia
M5.3 Earthquake — Vanuatu region
M5.3 Earthquake — 72 km NW of Finschhafen, Papua New Guinea
M5.3 Earthquake — 15 km SSW of Hilvan, Turkey
M5.3 Earthquake — 51 km WSW of Arauco, Argentina
M5.3 Earthquake — 26 km SW of Pulaupuah, Sulteng, Indonesia
M5.3 Earthquake — 64 km W of Cafayate, Argentina
M5.3 Earthquake — 108 km ESE of Yigo Village, Guam
M5.3 Earthquake — Reykjanes Ridge
M5.3 Earthquake — 191 km SE of Mata-Utu, Wallis and Futuna
M5.3 Earthquake — 155 km SSE of Hihifo, Tonga
M5.3 Earthquake — 126 km WSW of Alianza Cristiana, Peru
M5.3 Earthquake — 26 km NW of Neiafu, Tonga
M5.3 Earthquake — off the coast of Oregon
M5.2 Earthquake — 1285 km north of Whangarei, New Zealand
M5.2 Earthquake — 7 km ESE of Baghlān, Afghanistan
M5.2 Earthquake — Balleny Islands region
M5.2 Earthquake — 190 km WSW of Port McNeill, Canada
M5.2 Earthquake — 67 km ENE of Tadine, New Caledonia
M5.2 Earthquake — 8 km SE of Ramón Santana, Dominican Republic
M5.2 Earthquake — 148 km NW of Kilmia, Yemen
M5.2 Earthquake — 58 km NE of Tadine, New Caledonia
M5.2 Earthquake — 62 km SW of San Antonio, Chile
M5.2 Earthquake — 139 km SW of Kokopo, Papua New Guinea
M5.2 Earthquake — 127 km NW of Tahuna, Kep.sangihe, Sulut, Indonesia
M5.2 Earthquake — 167 km WNW of Mejillones, Chile
M5.2 Earthquake — 109 km W of Hihifo, Tonga
M5.2 Earthquake — Reykjanes Ridge
M5.2 Earthquake — 198 km SW of Bayah, Banten, Indonesia
M5.2 Earthquake — 156 km SE of KAB, Malang, Jatim, Indonesia
M5.2 Earthquake — 46 km SE of Malukubrtdaya, Indonesia
M5.2 Earthquake — 78 km ESE of Isangel, Vanuatu
M5.2 Earthquake — 123 km NNE of Ruteng, Indonesia
M5.2 Earthquake — 60 km NE of Ruteng, Manggarai, NTT, Indonesia
M5.1 Earthquake — 182 km SSE of Vilyuchinsk, Russia
M5.1 Earthquake — 199 km SSE of Vilyuchinsk, Russia
M5.1 Earthquake — 159 km SE of Gizo, Solomon Islands
M5.1 Earthquake — 176 km SE of Lata, Solomon Islands
M5.0 Earthquake — south of the Fiji Islands
M4.9 Earthquake — 55 km ESE of Kokopo, Papua New Guinea
M4.9 Earthquake — State of Yap, Federated States of Micronesia
M4.8 Earthquake — 146 km WNW of Panguna, Papua New Guinea
M4.7 Earthquake — Chagos Archipelago region
M4.7 Earthquake — 36 km WNW of Ollagüe, Chile
M4.6 Earthquake — Izu Islands, Japan region
M4.6 Earthquake — 31 km S of Tezpur, India
M4.6 Earthquake — 14 km S of Kodi, Sumba Barat Daya, Indonesia
M4.5 Earthquake — Kermadec Islands region
M4.5 Earthquake — 60 km WNW of Colchani, Bolivia
M4.4 Earthquake — 84 km N of Ruteng, Indonesia
M4.4 Earthquake — 58 km SSE of Camiña, Chile
M4.3 Earthquake — 19 km S of Kodi, Indonesia
M4.3 Earthquake — 42 km SW of Urakawa, Japan
M4.3 Earthquake — 17 km WNW of Ashkāsham, Afghanistan
M4.1 Earthquake — 15 km S of Kodi, Sumba Barat Daya, Indonesia
M3.9 Earthquake — 35 km SW of Sumur, Indonesia
M3.8 Earthquake — 200 km north of Te Araroa, New Zealand
M3.6 Earthquake — 25 km WNW of Preston, Nevada
M3.1 Earthquake — 5 km ESE of Wofford Heights, CA
M2.8 Earthquake — 32 km SW of Dana Point, CA
M2.6 Earthquake — 4 km NNW of Big Bear City, CA