Earthquakes strike without warning — and knowing whether you live near a seismic hotspot could be the difference between life and death. Understanding the earthquake-prone areas near you empowers you to prepare in advance, respond wisely when the ground shakes, and protect what matters most — your home and your loved ones. Map showing epicentres of all earthquakes during 1963–95 with magnitudes of mb ≥ 4. An earthquake is a sudden and intense shaking of the Earth's surface ca