Guides
Understanding global risk events
Plain-language explainers for the hazards and alert systems behind the data on GlobalRisk: how earthquake magnitude works, what a disaster alert color means, how satellites find wildfires, and what to do when an event affects you.
Earthquake Magnitude Explained: What M4, M6 and M7 Really MeanMagnitude vs. intensity, how often each size occurs, and typical effects.Earthquake Safety: What to Do Before, During and AfterDrop, Cover and Hold On, preparing a home, and what to do after shaking stops.GDACS Alert Levels Explained: Green, Orange and RedWhat the global disaster alert system flags, and how GlobalRisk uses it.Tropical Cyclone Categories Explained: Hurricanes, Typhoons and the Saffir-Simpson ScaleWhy hurricanes and typhoons are the same thing, and what Category 1–5 mean.How Satellites Detect Wildfires: A Plain-Language Guide to Thermal HotspotsWhat a fire hotspot is, how often satellites pass, and why detections are not exact.The Pacific Ring of Fire: Why So Many Earthquakes and Volcanoes Cluster HereThe horseshoe of plate boundaries that produces most of the world's large quakes.