User-customized Earthquake Information
Service Help

Introduction

The User-customized earthquake information service displays earthquake information on magnitude 2.0 or higher earthquakes released by the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA), as well as providing users with location-based estimated arrival time of earthquakes and emergency responses.

Screenshot help

프로그램 화면
P wave
Seismic waves that cause less damage, but are faster than S-waves
S wave
Seismic waves that are slower than P-waves and cause substantial damage
Magnitude
It is a measure of the absolute strength of an earthquake and is calculated from seismic energy measurements. It is expressed in numerical values to first decimal place (e.g. 5.1). The seismic energy increases by about 32 times for each 1.0 increase in magnitude.
Intensity
Intensity is a measure of the relative intensity felt in a particular place. Unlike magnitude, it is expressed in Roman numerals (e.g. IV). Seismic intensity decreases with distance from the epicenter, but it is sometimes measured to be higher far away from the epicenter because of differences in ground structure and intervening medium.
진도별 그래프
Intensity scale legend
KMA uses the Modified Mercalli Intensity (MMI) scale. It subdivides intensity scale Ⅰ to allow people to check seismic volatility of each station.
규모별 흔들림피해 범례

For more details of examples of phenomena by Modified Mercalli Intensity, please refer to “Description of the Levels of Intensity.”

IntensityⅠ~ ΧⅡ The modified Mercalli Intensity class

  • Ⅰ

    Not felt except by a very few under especially favorable conditions.

  • Ⅱ

    Felt only by a few persons at rest, especially on upper floors of buildings. Delicately suspended objects may swing.

  • Ⅲ

    Felt quite noticeably by persons indoors, especially on upper floors of buildings. Many people do not recognize it as an earthquake. Standing motor cars may rock slightly. Vibration similar to the passing of a truck. Duration estimated.

  • Ⅳ

    Felt indoors by many, outdoors by few during the day. At night, some awakened. Dishes, windows, doors disturbed; walls make cracking sound. Sensation like heavy truck striking building. Standing motor cars rocked noticeably.

  • Ⅴ

    Felt by nearly everyone; many awakened. some dishes, windows broken. Unstable objects overturned. Pendulum clocks may stop.

  • Ⅵ

    Felt by all, many frightened. Some heavy furniture moved; a few instances of fallen plaster. Damage slight.

  • Ⅶ

    Damage negligible in buildings of good design and construction; slight to moderate in well-built ordinary structures; considerable damage in poorly built or badly designed structures; some chimneys broken.

  • Ⅷ

    Damage slight in specially designed structures; considerable damage in ordinary substantial buildings with partial collapse. Damage great in poorly built structures. Fall of chimneys, factory stacks, columns, monuments, walls. Heavy furniture overturned.

  • Ⅸ

    Damage considerable in specially designed structures; well-designed frame structures thrown out of plumb. Damage great in substantial buildings, with partial collapse. Buildings shifted off foundations.

  • Χ-ΧⅡ

    Some well-built wooden structures destroyed; most masonry and frame structures destroyed with foundations. Rail bent.

Sources: U.S.Geological Survey

Earthquake notification standards

The information automatically analyzed by the earthquake early warning system is announced as quick information (earthquake early warning, earthquake early warning), and additional detailed information (earthquake information, overseas earthquake information) is announced.

Earthquake notification standards
assortment Quick information More information
Earthquake early warning Earthquake Fast warning Earthquake information Overseas earthquake information
Broadcasting criteria Magnitude 5.0 or higher (Regions in Korea)
Magnitude 3.5 or higher ~ 5.0 or higher		 Local earthquake Magnitude 2.0 or higher Overseas earthquake
(within earthquake monitoring area)		 Magnitude 5.0 or higher
or intensity Ⅱ or higher
in areas of Korea
(Sea area, areas excluding Korea)
Magnitude 4.0 or higher ~ 5.0 or higher		 Overseas earthquake
(outside of earthquake monitoring areas)		 Magnitude 6.0 or higher
detail Occurrence time, estimated location, estimated magnitude, expected progress Occurrence time, estimated location, estimated magnitude, expected progress Occurrence time, location, magnitude, instrument seismicity, occurrence depth, etc. Occurrence time, location, magnitude, occurrence depth, etc.

Tsunami special information standards

If a large-scale earthquake occurs in the waters near the Korean Peninsula and tsunami damage is expected in Korea, a special tsunami warning (watch, warning) is announced within 10 minutes.

Tsunami special information standards
Tsunami information - If it does not meet the tsunami special warning standards but is expected to affect Korea,
- After the announcement of a tsunami warning, there is a need to provide additional information, such as tsunami forecast information for each major location or actual tsunami data.
Tsunami warning When an undersea earthquake with a magnitude of 6.0 or greater occurs and a tsunami with a tsunami height of 0.5 m or more and less than 1.0 m is expected to hit the coast of Korea.
Tsunami warning When an undersea earthquake with a magnitude of 6.0 or higher occurs and a tsunami with a tsunami height of 1.0 m or higher is expected to hit the coast of Korea.

Volcanic ash special information standards

In the event of a volcanic eruption, volcanic information and volcanic ash warnings (volcanic ash warnings, volcanic ash warnings) are announced.

Volcanic ash special information standards
assortment standard
Volcano information - When volcanic eruption is expected to affect the country
- When there is a need to inform the public due to a global volcanic eruption
Volcanic Ash Advisory If damage due to volcanic ash is expected in Korea
Volcanic Ash Warning If serious damage due to volcanic ash is expected in Korea
공공누리 이미지
According to above KOGL, user can use public works freely and without fee regardless of its commercial use, and can change or modify to create secondary works when user complies.