[EHPweb] REQS Basemaps Legend

[Lisa A Wald]

Answers below each question.
- Lisa
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1. Why on are day-old earthquakes orange on the world map and blue on
the US map?

They are different colors on the current maps because of the different  
background colors on each map, but we've corrected that on the new  
maps (see http://ehps-earthquake.cr.usgs.gov/).
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2. Why does the world map indicate magnitude 4.5+ on the home page,
but smaller magnitude earthquakes do appear and the legend goes down
to 2.5?

It's complicated.  And we need to find a better way to briefly explain  
it.  The world map has M4.5+ from NEIC and M2.5+ from the regional  
networks.  The US map has M4.5+ from NEIC and M1+ from the regional  
networks.
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3. What happens on the new maps in areas (San Andreas Fault) where
plate boundaries and faults overlay each other?

The plate boundaries are shown on the maps down to the 10x10 degree  
maps, and then the faults in the US are shown on the 2x2 degree maps,  
and the plate boundaries go away.
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4. Are earthquakes one size fits all (eg all 7+ appear as the same
sized square) or graduated based on magnitude?

M7+ are all the same size, M6+ are the same size, M5+ are the same  
size, etc.
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5. Do we have any plans for maps such as the following Google Maps?
http://www.emsc-csem.org/index.php?page=home&sub=gmap

We've been discussing other map options, including Google Maps, but we  
have to choose carefully.  Google still says they're putting ads on  
the Google Maps soon, so I've contacted Kevin Gallagher about a USGS- 
wide solution with Google.
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6. Are there sample maps of the newest design somewhere for viewing?

http://ehps-earthquake.cr.usgs.gov/
but the legend isn't there yet for the US maps.