USGS ShakeMap for the Kīholo Bay earthquake (star marks location) o...

Developed by the USGS, ShakeMaps facilitate communication of earthquake information beyond just magnitude and location. By rapidly mapping out earthquake ground motions, ShakeMaps portray the distribution and severity of shaking. This information is critical for gauging the extent of areas affected, determining which areas are potentially hardest hit, and allowing for rapid estimation of losses. Key to ShakeMap's success, computer programs were developed that take advantage of high-quality recorded ground motions and Internet-based reports from those that experienced an earthquake.