Earthquake Maps Available from Ball State University Libraries

Earthquake and Seismic Activity Maps Available from Ball State University

The Ball State University Libraries’ GIS Research and Map Collection (GRMC) has a collection of maps depicting historic seismic activity around the world available from the Libraries’ Digital Media Repository (DMR).  The Earthquake and Seismic Hazard Maps Collection include world, United States, and regional maps of historic seismic hazards and activity.  The Collection features maps produced by U.S. government agencies showing earthquakes, active volcanoes, fault line locations, and plate tectonics in the U.S. and around the world.

The map above (click to enlarge), This Dynamic Planet: World Map of Volcanoes, Earthquakes, Impact Craters, and Plate Tectonics, was published by the U.S. Geological Survey in 1994.  The second image is zoomed in to the area of the Amitrice in central Italy, site of a 6.2 magnitude earthquake this week.  

The map shows numerous incidents of seismic activity in Italy.  Italy has a long history of earthquakes and volcanoes.  In 1908, more than 82,000 people were killed in a 7.2 magnitude earthquake on Sicily.  And over 32,000 people were killed in a 7.0 earthquake near Avezzano in central Italy in 1915.

The GRMC has also created a social studies lesson to coordinate with maps in the DMR Collection available on the main DMR Collection page or from Cardinal Scholar.  The lesson may be used by teachers as an enhancement exercise for teaching about earthquakes, volcanoes, and plate tectonics.

Maps from the DMR may be downloaded for use in research and learning.  To order an archival file or to inquire about permissions for use, please contact the GRMC at 765-285-1097 or the Archives and Special Collections at 765-285-5078.

Original maps from the Collection are available for circulation from the GRMC on the second floor of Bracken Library.  Maps from the GRMC may be borrowed for two weeks or longer.