Maps and Other Cool Visualizations of Earth Science Data

Most of my research focuses on computational models of earthquake-producing faults and satellite data processing and analysis. Because of this, I write a lot of code that produces maps and other visualizations of geo-data. This is sort of like data science for the Earth sciences, or "geo-data science". On this page, I will occasionally post examples of maps and other geo-data visualizations that I think may be interesting. All maps are produced with the open source Generic Mapping Tools software package, and are thus generated by code that my students and I write. See below what some basic "geo-data science" skills can produce!

Earthquakes in the Eastern United States (1974-2021)

Eastern US Earthqukes Map Downloads
42.5 in x 42 in (poster-sized) --> PDF [150 MB]
8.5 in wide --> PDF [19.9 MB] --> PNG [7.3 MB]

Many years ago, Julia Irizarry, an undergraduate geology major, worked with me to write a script that produced a large map with two inlaid maps the Eastern US. The map turned out to be quite useful, so I have since added new data and processed an improved DEM for the map. The updated map includes all earthquake epicenters > M0 from the Advanced National Seismic System catalog from 1974-2021. Yes, zero magnitude events are still earthquakes! Due to the logarithmic scaling of magnitude, zero or even negative magnitudes are possible. The 2011 M5.8 Mineral, Virginia, the 2020 M5.1 Sparta, North Carolina, and other significant historical Earthquakes are highlighted with gold stars on the map. The two most historically dangerous seismic zones in the eastern US are the New Madrid Seismic Zone (near the Tennessee-Missouri-Arkansas tri-state border) and the Middleton Place-Summerville Seismic Zone (near Charleston, SC). The two map insets (only on 42 in map) highlight these seismic zones. In the 48 years of data plotted here there were 17,612 earthquakes (about 367 events per year). Compare this to the southern California map shown below where the much smaller southern California region averages nearly 18,000 earthquakes per year, which is approximately what the entire eastern US sees over the 50 years. So, while the eastern United States does have earthquakes often, it is not at the level of an active tectonic plate boundary.

Earthquakes in the Southeastern United States (1974-2021)

Southeastern US Earthqukes Map Downloads
8.5 in wide --> PDF [14.8 MB] --> PNG [6.5 MB]

The map above shows essentially the same data as the eastern US earthquakes map shown above on this page, but is focused on the Carolinas. The map includes all earthquake epicenters > M0 from the Advanced National Seismic System catalog from 1974-2021. Significant historical Earthquakes are highlighted with gold stars on the map. The most seismically active region is the Eastern Tennessee Seismic Zone (ETSZ), the cause of which is not fully understood. While the ETSZ has the largest number of events, most of these are small (< M2) and are not felt by humans. In the 48 years of data plotted here there were 2,404 earthquakes (about 50 events per year).

Earthquakes in Southern California (1981-2020)

Southern California Earthqukes Map Downloads
49 in x 42 in (poster-sized) --> PDF [106.7 MB]
8.5 in wide --> PDF [37.8 MB] --> PNG [7.7 MB]

The map above shows relocated seismicity (> M0) in southern California from 1981-2020. Undergraduate geology major, Colin Ferebee and I originally wrote the code for this map back in 2009, but nearly all of the data sources have changed since then, so this is a completely updated map of relocated seismicicty in SoCal. What is "relocated seismicity"? Well, to determine earthquake locations, we need a model of subsurface seismic wave velocities at every point in the subsurface. The locations estimated by the USGS typically use a simplified velocity model. The seismicity here has been "relocated" by Hauksson, Yang, and Shearer using a more detailed velocity model with other accuracy enhancements. Focal mechanisms are from Yang, Hauksson, and Shearer. Historical events are from the Advanced National Seismic System catalog. Fault traces are from the Southern California Earthquake Center Community Fault Model version 5.3.2.

Earthquakes in Northern California (1984-2021)

Northern California Earthqukes Map Downloads
49 in x 42 in (poster-sized) --> PDF [76.1 MB]
8.5 in wide --> PDF [41.8 MB] --> PNG [8.6 MB]

The map above shows relocated seismicity (> M0) in northern California from 1984-2021. Undergraduate geology major, Colin Ferebee and I originally wrote the code for this map back in 2009, but nearly all of the data sources have changed since then, so this is a completely updated map of relocated seismicicty in Northern California. What is "relocated seismicity"? Well, to determine earthquake locations, we need a model of subsurface seismic wave velocities at every point in the subsurface. The locations estimated by the USGS typically use a simplified velocity model. The seismicity here has been "relocated" by Waldhauser and Schaff using a more detailed velocity model with other accuracy enhancements. Focal mechanisms are from the Northern California Earthquake Data Center (NCEDC). Historical events are from the Advanced National Seismic System catalog. Fault traces are from the Uniform California Earthquake Rupture Forecast version 3 (UCERF3).