Earthquakes and Other Natural Hazards

USGS Director Chip Groat answers these questions:

• Could an earthquake strike New York City?
• What other natural hazards do you face?
• How can you prepare for them?

Hazards Information from USGS

Prepare Yourself for Natural Hazards

Our world is constantly changing, constantly in motion. Earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, landslides - - these are all part of the way the Earth works.

Seismicity of the United States: 1977 - 1997

Seismicity Map of Alaska

At the USGS, we are working to provide the scientific foundation for building safer communities. We work with FEMA, the National Weather Service, and other Federal, State, and local agencies to help people prepare for the hazards they are likely to face.

We can live safely on our sometimes dangerous planet. By understanding how and where these natural events occur, and by providing real-time information about floods, earthquakes, and other hazards, the USGS is helping build stronger, safer communities that are resilient to natural disaster.

• National Earthquake Information Center
• Geologic Hazards Projects
• U.S. Seismicity and Earthquake History, State by State
• Earthquake Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
• Earthquake ABC - for kids and parents
• The 15 Largest Earthquakes in the United States
• USGS Fact Sheets on Hazards--Earthquakes

• Earthquakes
• Floods
• Landslides
• Wildlife Disease
• Volcanoes
• Geomagnetism
• Wildfire
• Coastal Storms and Tsunamis

Animation of US map showing
hazard areas.