Exploring Seismology in the Classroom Using the USGS Earthquake Hazards Program Data

Access Earthquake Data from the USGS Earthquakes Hazards Program (EHP)

This webpage was created for SERC by Heather Rissler in consultation with Lisa Wald, Geophysicist, USGS Earthquakes Hazards Program

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Initial Publication Date: August 15, 2006

The Dataset

Earthquake Data from the USGS Earthquakes Hazards Program (EHP) provide data on global earthquakes for the last 7 days and highlights the history of earthquake occurrences around the world. Earthquakes are represented on maps with links to data including latitude, longitude, magnitude, and time. Symbols representing earthquakes are varied in size, representing magnitude, and in color, representing time of earthquake occurrence (within the last hour, the last 24 hours, or the last 7 days). The site also provides general trends and statistics, documentation of the largest earthquakes to ever occur, the most destructive in history, those with high death tolls, earthquakes listed by year, and the 15 largest US earthquakes.

Use and Relevance

The National Earthquake Information Ceneter (NEIC) is part of United States Geological Survey (USGS) Earthquake Hazards Program (EHP). Data from the EHP are used by response agencies to determine how to direct resources. Scientists use this dataset to determine how earthquakes effect an area and whether seismic data can be used to predict future earthquakes. Engineers use this dataset to study how shaking effects structures and how structures can be built to withstand damage.

Use in Teaching

This dataset can be used to teach the following topics and skills in geophysics and structural geology:

Topics

  • Natural hazards
  • Solid earth
  • Plate tectonics
  • Seismic networks
  • Earthquakes

Skills

  • Understanding the collection and transmission of seismic data
  • Interpreting earthquake data parameters, including location, depth, and magnitude
  • Using seismic data to map plate boundaries
  • Using seismic data to determine the highest probability area where an earthquake might occur
  • Examining relationships between earthquake parameters and the underlying rock structure

Exploring the Data

Data Type and Presentation

Data are represented graphically on maps, illustrating earthquake location, magnitude, and time. Symbols are used to represent the magnitude of the earthquake. The relative size of the symbol is proportional to magnitude, while the symbol colors represent whether the earthquake occurred in the last hour, day, or week. Recent and historical data are provided graphically and information about specific earthquakes (such as latitude, longitude, time, and depth) is presented in HTML format as a preliminary earthquake report.

Accessing the Data

Data can be accessed in several formats including:

  • Latest Earthquakes: This section provides maps of earthquakes on a global scale and for the USA. Maps are provided at a high resolution for earthquakes within the US.
  • Feeds and Data: This section provides a variety of interfaces for examining real-time global earthquakes.
  • Recent Earthquakes: This section provides a list of of global earthquakes for the last 8 to 30 days.
  • Historic Earthquakes: This section provides access to data and information on significant, high impact historic earthquakes.
  • http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/dyfi/ 'Did You Feel It?': This section provides archived information on earthquake intensity and damage that is provided by citizens who have felt an earthquake and reported information to the USGS 'Did You Feel It?' data collection site.

Manipulating Data and Creating Visualizations

  • One way that students can process this dataset is to superimpose earthquake locations onto a global map. This process will allow students to visualize the relationship between earthquake locations and plate tectonic boundaries.
  • Students could also process data by importing tabular earthquake data into a spreadsheet application such as Excel to graph the number of earthquakes per day or to calculate and graphically represent averages over time.

Tools for Data Manipulation

  • Real-time earthquake data are presented as KML files (files that are used to display information in Google Earth). In order to use this feature, users need to first download Google Earth (a free version is available). Accessing the USGS KML files allow users to display real-time data (including magnitude, location, and time since earthquake) using Google Earth.
  • Raw data can be downloaded and imported into a spreadsheet application such as Excel for further processing. The Starting Point site provides a tutorial for using Excel.

About the Data

Collection Methods

Data are collected by seismic instruments and transmitted to a central computer via several mechanisms including the internet, phone lines, microwave telemetry, or satellites. The USGS EHP maintains FAQs related to measuring earthquakes.

Limitations and Sources of Error

Background noise is a common source of error in seismographic data. Sensors pick up vibrations, resulting in a low noise background. Conversely sensors can become saturated when the magnitude of shaking is off scale. Errors also occur in transmission of data and their is background noise in transmission of data via microwave telemetry.

References and Resources

Scientific References that Use this Dataset

Education Resources that Use this Dataset

Other Related Scientific References

  • 'Earthquake prediction: A seismic shift in thinking' is a article from Nature that discusses the debate regarding accuracy in predicting earthquakes.
  • 'Mantle Convection and Plate Tectonics: Toward an Integrated Physical and Chemical Theory' is an article from Science that reviews the physics of plate tectonics.

Other related Education Resources

Related Links