Map provides near-real-time updates on Japan aftershocks

Almost incomprehensible as the devastation from last Friday's earthquake and tsunami in Japan has been, scientists warn that more aftershocks are on their way. In order to get all the information on current seismic activity in one place, researchers at Texas Tech University's Center for Geospatial Technologies have developed an online, publicly-accessible world map that displays data on disturbances worldwide, almost as soon as they have occurred.

Texas Tech created the map this Monday, incorporating near-real-time remote feeds from the United States Geological Survey's Earthquake Hazards Center and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Tsunami Warning Center. All of the seismic activity that has occurred since Friday, including the original 8.9-magnitude quake itself, is displayed as geographically-placed buttons on a world map.

Moving the cursor over each button will display basic information on time, date and location, with more details available via a click of the mouse. Users can switch between map, satellite and topographical modes.

A box at the bottom left of the screen displays a running update on the latest aftershocks.

The map was created in response to what the researchers perceived as a lack of information about the aftershocks in the media.