Hi Byron,

The grid pattern you are seeing is caused by the coordinates that Google Earth is using to locate each quake. Less specific coordinates will result in this grid pattern.

Look at these coordinates for these MSH earthquakes.
46.20 -122.19
46.20 -122.19
46.20 -122.19

These quakes would be placed on a grid pattern of 1/100th of one degree. And all quakes would be located in the same spot on the map.

Adding another decimal to the coordinates now makes the grid more detailed (1/1000th of a degree).
46.195 -122.192
46.198 -122.190
46.196 -122.191

Now the quakes are located in different spots, but a grid pattern is still visible, especially if you have more quakes.

Adding the fourth decimal really helps get rid of the gridd pattern unless you zoom in really close.

I have looked at the earthquake layer in Google Earth. I do not know what kind of information they are using or where it is coming from or even how up to date it is.

I use Google Earth to keep track of earthquakes. I have written a program that automatically creates color/size coded placemarks from all earthquakes in a list.

Here is my current picture of Mount Saint Helens. SEE IT

• My Earthquake Page