Latest Earthquakes Near Me — Real-Time Radar & Alerts | Earthquake.live
Columbus, Ohio•39.9612° N, 82.9988° W
36.09°N, 89.77°W
Recent Earthquakes Within 100 km
| MAG | LOCATION | DISTANCE | DEPTH | TIME | ACTION |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.3 | 36.09°N, 89.77°W | 732.4 km away | 12.14 km | 16 hours ago | Details → |
| 3.7 | 19.35°N, 68.98°W | 2654.7 km away | 41 km | 16 hours ago | Details → |
| 3.6 | 18.18°N, 71.27°W | 2670.4 km away | 13 km | 20 hours ago | Details → |
| 3.3 | 371 km SSW of Salt Lake City, Utah | 2693.9 km away | 0.4 km | 17 hours ago | Details → |
| 3.0 | 371 km SSW of Salt Lake City, Utah | 2694 km away | 0.400000005960464 km | 17 hours ago | Details → |
How Far Away Can You Feel an Earthquake?
Ground shaking intensity depends on three critical factors: magnitude (energy released at source), focal depth (distance beneath surface), and geological soil composition.
| MAGNITUDE | TYPICAL FELT RADIUS | INTENSITY AT EPICENTER | WHAT PEOPLE OBSERVE |
|---|---|---|---|
| M 2.0 – 2.9 | 5 – 15 km (3 – 10 mi) | MMI I – II (Micro) | Barely noticed indoors. Hanging plants or chandeliers may gently sway. |
| M 3.0 – 3.9 | 15 – 50 km (10 – 30 mi) | MMI III (Weak) | Felt indoors by many. Vibration resembles a heavy truck or subway passing by. |
| M 4.0 – 4.9 | 50 – 150 km (30 – 90 mi) | MMI IV – V (Light to Moderate) | Dishes rattle, windows creak, walls creak. Sleepers awakened. Unstable objects topple. |
| M 5.0 – 5.9 | 150 – 300 km (90 – 180 mi) | MMI VI (Strong) | Felt by all. Difficult to walk steadily. Books fall from shelves, plaster cracks. |
| M 6.0+ | 300+ km (180+ mi) | MMI VII+ (Severe to Violent) | Structural damage to unreinforced masonry. Ground cracks, landslides, tsunami potential. |
The Focal Depth Factor
A shallow M 3.2 earthquake at 3 km depth generates sharper, more violent surface jolts than a deep M 5.0 earthquake at 120 km depth. Shallow seismic waves lose less kinetic energy traveling to the surface, creating higher ground acceleration directly above the epicenter.
Detection & Publication Latency
Seismic waves travel through bedrock at 5 to 8 km per second. After the shaking reaches your location, automated networks (USGS, EMSC, JMA) require 45 to 180 seconds to cross-correlate multiple seismic stations, resolve P/S wave arrivals, and publish preliminary magnitudes.
Soil Type & Basin Amplification
Soft sedimentary basins and reclaimed soils (such as river valleys, coastal muds, or landfill) amplify earthquake waves up to 3 to 5 times more than solid granite bedrock, causing stronger and longer-lasting shaking even far from the epicenter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Clear explanations of earthquake detection, shaking perception, and emergency steps.
How does Earthquake.live detect earthquakes near me?
Earthquake.live combines real-time seismic feeds from USGS, EMSC, JMA, GeoNet, INGV, BMKG, IPMA, and international seismic networks with GPS and geolocation to triangulate the exact distance and travel time of seismic waves to your location.
Did an earthquake just happen near me?
If you felt ground shaking or vibrations, check the Hero Spotlight card above. Our real-time monitor triangulates seismic telemetry to display detected earthquakes within 25 km to 500 km of your location within seconds of wave arrival.
Why did I feel shaking if no earthquake is listed yet?
Seismic networks take between 45 seconds and 3 minutes to collect P-wave and S-wave telemetry from multiple seismometer stations, run triangulation algorithms, and publish preliminary magnitudes. If shaking just occurred, wait 1–2 minutes and refresh this feed.
How far away can you feel a magnitude 3.0 or 4.0 earthquake?
A shallow magnitude 3.0 earthquake is typically felt up to 15–30 km (10–20 miles) away, while a magnitude 4.0 earthquake can be felt 50–100 km (30–60 miles) away depending on focal depth and local soil geology.
What should I do immediately during an earthquake?
Follow the Drop, Cover, and Hold On protocol: Drop onto your hands and knees immediately, cover your head and neck under a sturdy table or desk, and hold on until shaking stops. Avoid doorways, windows, and running outside during active tremors.