Earthquake Alert Apps · Tool Face-Off

USGS Earthquake Hazards Program vs MyShake App

Quick answer

USGS Earthquake Hazards Program is the authoritative data powerhouse for scientists and serious researchers, while MyShake is the crowd-sourced underdog that puts alerts and citizen science in everyone's pocket. Most everyday users will find MyShake friendlier; data nerds will live on USGS.

USGS Earthquake Hazards Program

The gold standard of seismic data, straight from the source

3.5★

Our pick

MyShake App

Your phone as a seismometer — science meets the crowd

4.2★

Price

Free (government-funded)

Free (no ads)

Primary Platform

Web (earthquake.usgs.gov); basic app

iOS & Android app-first

Earthquake Detection Source

Official seismic sensor network (USArray, etc.)

Crowdsourced phone accelerometers + USGS data

Early Warning Alerts

ShakeAlert integration (West Coast US only)

ShakeAlert + crowd-detection alerts (West Coast focus)

Minimum Magnitude Reported

M1.0+ globally

M2.5+ for push alerts; detects lower locally

Historical Data Access

150+ years of seismic records via ComCat API

Limited historical view in-app

API / Data Export

Full public API, GeoJSON, CSV, KML

No public API

Citizen Science Contribution

'Did You Feel It?' reports only

Phone doubles as seismometer; data feeds research

Alert Speed (after event)

Seconds via ShakeAlert; minutes for web updates

Seconds via push notification

Offline Functionality

None

Continues recording shakes offline

Global Coverage

Yes — worldwide catalog

Limited outside US (alerts mainly West Coast)

Hazard Maps & Risk Tools

Comprehensive national hazard maps, fault data

Basic shake map only

USGS Earthquake Hazards Program

Ease of Use★★½☆☆

Free Access★★★★★

Data Accuracy★★★★★

Features & Tools★★★★½

Real-Time Alerts★★★½☆

Mobile Experience★★☆☆☆

Community & Engagement★★☆☆☆

MyShake App

Ease of Use★★★★½

Free Access★★★★★

Data Accuracy★★★☆☆

Features & Tools★★★☆☆

Real-Time Alerts★★★★½

Mobile Experience★★★★½

Community & Engagement★★★★★

Worth knowing

USGS has been recording earthquake data since 1900 and maintains the world's most comprehensive seismic catalog.
MyShake was developed by UC Berkeley and has recruited millions of phones as makeshift seismometers across 100+ countries.
ShakeAlert, which both tools leverage, can deliver warnings seconds before shaking arrives — enough time to Drop, Cover, and Hold On.
USGS 'Did You Feel It?' has collected over 70 million felt reports from the public since 1999.
MyShake's crowd network has reportedly detected earthquakes in regions with sparse official sensor coverage.

MyShake can detect an earthquake using the same sensor in your phone that notices when you flip it to silence a call — your pocket is now a seismograph. Science!

If you want

You want instant push alerts on your phone before shaking hits

MyShake's app-first design delivers fast, clear warnings with zero setup friction.

→ Pick MyShake App

If you want

You're a researcher, journalist, or developer needing raw seismic data

USGS offers a full public API, decades of records, and authoritative magnitude data.

→ Pick USGS Earthquake Hazards Program

If you want

You want to actively contribute to earthquake science

MyShake turns your phone into a sensor node that feeds real academic research at UC Berkeley.

→ Pick MyShake App

If you want

You need global earthquake monitoring beyond the US West Coast

USGS tracks M1.0+ events worldwide with official sensor data, not crowd signals.

→ Pick USGS Earthquake Hazards Program

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