Explore earthquake activity year by year and month by month using the historical Quake Pulse database.
| Magnitude | Location | Depth | Time | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| M 5.3 | 128 km SSW of Gataivai, Samoa | 10.0 km | 2026-01-20 05:38:54 UTC | View event → |
Historical small-earthquake detection varies through time. Long-term comparisons are most robust at higher magnitude thresholds.
Guides, explainers and practical reading to go beyond the live data.
Magnitude is only one part of the story. Depth, distance, local ground conditions and building vulnerability help explain why shaking can differ so much from one earthquake to another.
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Earthquake-resistant design is not about making buildings immovable. It is about controlling forces, deformation and failure so people have a much better chance of staying safe.
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Early-warning systems detect an earthquake after it starts and try to send an alert before the strongest shaking arrives. The difference between warning and prediction matters.
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