How to Use Google Maps to Find Weather, Environmental Data

by Todd R. Weiss

This map shows the seismic zones across the United States, which reveals that not all of the earthquake zones are in California, where they might be expected. Note the zone in the center of the nation south of St. Louis. Source: United States Geological Survey (USGS)

This map shows the paths of major North Atlantic hurricanes between 1851 and 2000 that battered U.S. shores. Blue tracks are for winds between 50 to 100 mph. Source: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

Arsenic can be found naturally in groundwater, but its levels are carefully monitored to ensure the safety of water supplies. This map shows general levels across the nation, based on samplings from more than 31,000 wells and springs. Source: USGS

In this map, the most significant earthquakes that occurred between 1568 to 2009 in what is now the United States are shown in graphic form. Note the major earthquake history in California and Hawaii. Source: USGS

They don’t worry about earthquakes too much in the Midwest, but this map of tornado touchdowns between 1950 to 2008 shows clear evidence of the dangers faced in the center of the nation from these destructive events. Source: NOAA

In this map, data from 1995 to 2009 about costly storm-related lightning strikes and damage in counties across the United States can be searched and explored on a deep level. Source: USGS

Winter storms bring their own miseries for residents. This map is clickable and displays the number of winter storms, damage estimates, and death and injury reports for counties across the U.S. from 1995 to 2009. Source: USGS

Severe flooding affects millions of Americans each year. This clickable map lets users see flood damage data, including the number of flood events and the cost estimates for their damage. Source: USGS

Wildfires destroy millions of dollars of property each year in the U.S., particularly in the West. This clickable map shows damage and loss estimates from wildfires from 1995 to 2009. Source: USGS

Hurricanes and tornadoes aren’t the only wind hazards faced across the U.S. High winds that are below the threshold to be labeled hurricanes or tornadoes also do plenty of damage, as seen in this map of wind damage losses from 1995 to 2009. Source: USGS

Vicious thunderstorms can also play havoc in communities across the nation. This clickable map portrays estimates for thunderstorm damage losses from 1995 to 2009. Source: USGS

Damage to vehicles, homes and buildings from hailstones can be enormous. That damage is made clear in this clickable map of hail damage losses that occurred from 1995 to 2009. Source: USGS

Flooding is bad for communities, but so is a dearth of rainwater. This clickable map shows data from droughts and crop damage across the U.S. from 1995 to 2009. Source: USGS