0 km
Surface
The map shows the surface location above the reported event.
Reading guide
Earthquake magnitude and depth, explained simply
A beginner-friendly guide to reading magnitude, depth, location, and time on LifeHubber Earth.
Earthquake reports can look technical at first. These notes explain the main fields in plain language without turning the data into safety advice.
Depth guide
How deep is an earthquake?
Depth is the reported starting point of an earthquake below the surface. It helps explain how to read a report, but it should be read together with magnitude, distance, local ground conditions, and official source details.
10 km
Shallow report example
Many shallow reports are near the upper crust, but felt shaking still depends on many other factors.
70 km
Shallow / intermediate boundary
Around 70 km is commonly used as a boundary between shallow and intermediate-depth earthquakes.
300 km
Intermediate / deep boundary
Intermediate-depth reports begin deeper below the crust and are best read with magnitude and distance.
700 km
Very deep reports
Deep reports can happen hundreds of kilometers below the surface.
Magnitude
What the number roughly means
Magnitude describes the reported size of an earthquake at the source. A higher number means much more energy was released, but it does not automatically describe damage or how strongly people felt it in every place.
Depth
Why reported depth matters
Depth shows how far below the surface the earthquake began. It helps explain the report, but it is not a direct measure of local impact and is best read with magnitude, distance, and source details.
Location
Why place names can feel broad
USGS place names may describe a nearby area, offshore zone, or nearest known place rather than an exact town. The map point and source page give more context for where the report was placed.
Time
Why report time matters
LifeHubber Earth shows earthquake times from USGS data, and your browser may display them in your local time. The source report time helps show when the event was generated or updated by the data source.
Safety note
Educational, not emergency guidance
This guide is for general understanding only. It is not an emergency alert system. For alerts, instructions, and local impact information, use official local authorities.
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