Preliminary vs. reviewed
The first automated magnitude and location can be revised after more seismic stations report and analysts review the event.
Earthquake Statistics Explained
Live worldwide activity plus the context needed to interpret earthquake counts without confusing preliminary catalog data with final scientific totals.
Worldwide Activity in the Past 24 Hours
QuakeScout refreshes these M2.5+ USGS figures every five minutes. Counts can change when events are added, revised, merged, or removed.
Magnitude Scale Reference
| Magnitude | General label | Typical interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| Below M2.5 | Usually not felt | Many events are detected only by instruments and local networks. |
| M2.5–3.9 | Minor | Sometimes felt near the epicenter; damage is uncommon. |
| M4.0–4.9 | Light | Often felt in the surrounding area; effects depend on depth and local conditions. |
| M5.0–5.9 | Moderate | Can damage vulnerable structures near the source. |
| M6.0–6.9 | Strong | Can cause serious damage across a wider area. |
| M7.0+ | Major | Potential for severe regional impacts and secondary hazards. |
Magnitude alone does not predict local damage. Depth, distance, soil, building design, and duration also matter.
Detection is not uniform
Dense seismic networks detect smaller events more consistently than sparse or remote networks, so raw country totals are not a fair hazard ranking.
Catalog filters matter
Changing the time window, minimum magnitude, radius, or catalog source can produce very different totals for the same location.
Explore the data
Use the live dashboard for today’s events or open a local page with a clearly stated radius and magnitude threshold.
Source: USGS Earthquake Hazards Program. QuakeScout is not an emergency alert service.