QuakeSense: ESP32 IoT Earthquake Detector & Live Tracker with USGS API, GPS & Web Dashboard

Living near a fault line shouldn't mean living on edge.

Every time the ground shakes — or a friend texts "did you feel that?" — the same questions hit at once: Was that an earthquake? How big? Where was it? Is it close to me? Is something worse coming?

Most people answer those questions the stressful way: refreshing news sites and social media, reading conflicting numbers, and guessing.

QuakeSense gives you a calm, reliable answer in seconds — on a little device that sits on your shelf.

It is a complete DIY project built around an ESP32 board. It pulls earthquake reports straight from the USGS (U.S. Geological Survey), compares each epicenter with your location, and shows you exactly what matters:

• Magnitude of the latest quake

• Distance from your home in kilometers

• How long ago it happened

• A clear status: 🟢 Calm · 🟡 Nearby activity · 🔴 Significant quake close to you

A green light on your shelf, quietly saying "Nothing significant near you right now," is surprisingly powerful. And when something does happen, you get the facts instantly — not rumors.

What QuakeSense does

• Fetches live data from the USGS public earthquake feed, automatically, around the clock

• Knows where you are — uses a GPS module for automatic location, or you can enter your coordinates manually (great for indoor use or if you skip the GPS)

• Calculates real distance from every quake to you (great-circle / Haversine)

• Three alert levels you can customize — set your own radius and magnitude thresholds

• 16×2 LCD shows the latest event and current status at a glance

• RGB status LED + buzzer — green when calm, amber for nearby activity, red with an audible alert for a significant nearby quake (with a mute option so it never wakes you for no reason)

• Built-in web dashboard — open it from your phone or laptop on your home Wi-Fi to see recent quakes, distances, and status. Auto-refreshes.

• Optional SD card logging — keep your own history as a CSV file you can open in Excel

• Never alerts twice for the same quake, handles Wi-Fi drops, and recovers on its own

What you get (instant download)

📁 Complete Arduino firmware — clean, commented, ready to flash. Split into easy-to-read files so you can modify it.

📄 PDF 1 — Quick Start Guide — from unboxing to a working monitor, step by step.

📄 PDF 2 — Hardware & Wiring Guide — parts list, full pin table, wiring diagram, and build tips.

📄 PDF 3 — Code Walkthrough & Customization Guide — how every part works, and how to change radius, thresholds, region, alert behavior, and more.

📄 PDF 4 — Troubleshooting & FAQ — fixes for the problems people actually run into.

📄 PDF 5 — Earthquake Preparedness Checklist — a printable one-page family plan and emergency kit list, so your peace of mind rests on preparation, not just information.

🖼️ Gumroad-ready bonus: license file and a README to get going in minutes.

What you need

Who is this for?

• Families in earthquake-prone regions who want calm, factual awareness

• Makers and students who want a real, useful IoT project with APIs, GPS, JSON, a web server and sensors

• Teachers looking for an engaging STEM build

• Anyone who has ever grabbed their phone at 3 a.m. asking "was that an earthquake?"

Skill level

Beginner-to-intermediate. If you've uploaded a sketch to an Arduino or ESP32 before, you can build this. No soldering is required (breadboard build), and the guides explain each step. Prefer to understand it deeply? The code walkthrough teaches the concepts as it goes.

Please read: what QuakeSense is — and isn't

We believe real peace of mind has to be honest, so here is the plain truth:

• ✅ QuakeSense reports real earthquake data published by the USGS, usually within minutes of an event, and tells you how close it was to you.

• ❌ It is not an earthquake early-warning system. It cannot predict earthquakes, and it cannot warn you before shaking starts. Nothing a hobby device does can.

• ❌ It is not a safety-certified device and must not be your only source of information. Always follow guidance from your local authorities, and keep a preparedness plan (a checklist is included).

• ℹ️ Data availability and accuracy depend on the USGS service and your internet connection. Coverage of very small quakes outside the U.S. may be limited.

What it does do is replace anxious guessing with clear facts — and that, for a lot of people, is what turns fear into confidence.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to know how to code? No. You flash the provided code and edit a few settings (Wi-Fi name, password, location). The guide walks you through each step.

Will it work where I live? Yes, anywhere in the world with internet access. USGS covers significant earthquakes globally.

Does it need GPS? No. GPS is optional; you can set fixed coordinates, which is usually all a home device needs.

Is there a monthly fee or account? No. The USGS feed is free, public, and needs no API key.

Can I change the alert distance and magnitude? Yes — all thresholds are simple settings, explained in the customization guide.

Can I modify and learn from the code? Absolutely. The license allows personal use and modification. (You may not resell or redistribute the files themselves.)

Refunds? Digital downloads can't be returned, but if something doesn't work, message me and I'll help you get it running.

Build it this weekend.

Grab your parts, download the package, and have a working QuakeSense by tonight — then let it keep an eye on things for you.

Get QuakeSense now.

Data source: USGS Earthquake Hazards Program (public domain data). QuakeWatch is an independent project and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USGS.