How to Use the USGS Earthquakes MCP in Claude

Q: What is the maximum result set size when querying USGS Earthquakes with Claude Desktop?

The queryearthquakes tool can return up to 20,000 events in a single query. This large capacity makes it ideal for deep historical research or comprehensive mapping projects.

Q: Does the MCP Server support filtering by magnitude using Claude Desktop?

Yes, you can filter results by specifying minmagnitude within your query parameters. You just tell the server what minimum size of earthquake you're looking for, and it narrows the focus immediately.

Q: Can Claude Desktop run analyses on historical data from USGS Earthquakes?

Absolutely. By setting both starttime and endtime, you can execute deep queries that pull historical seismic records, allowing you to analyze long-term patterns of activity.

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Connect USGS Earthquakes MCP to Claude Desktop

Create your Vinkius account to connect USGS Earthquakes to Claude Desktop and route execution through our secure gateway. The platform manages server hosting, runtime updates, and security layers. Configuration requires no manual server provisioning.

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Setup USGS Earthquakes with Claude Desktop

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Query Global Earthquakes via MCP Server

The `query_earthquakes` tool lets you narrow down global seismicity using specific boundaries. You pass parameters like `starttime`, `endtime`, `minmagnitude`, and geographic coordinates to pinpoint activity. This function returns up to 20,000 events per query. It's perfect for running deep historical analyses or mapping out precise zones of interest without leaving the Claude Desktop environment.

Count Earthquakes with a Single Call

Need a quick metric? The `count_earthquakes` tool returns the total number of earthquakes that match your specific criteria. You simply input the required filters, and it gives you an immediate count. This is useful for generating summaries or reports where you just need to know the sheer volume of activity over a set period.

Get Significant Global Earthquakes

The `get_significant_30_days` tool pulls highly significant global earthquake data from the past 30 days. It requires no parameters, so you get an instant snapshot of recent major events. This function is great for monitoring current global activity quickly. You'll see a curated list of impactful seismic incidents without needing to define complex search criteria.

Setup guide

Set up USGS Earthquakes MCP in Claude Web or Desktop

1

Open Claude Settings

Go to claude.ai, click your profile icon, then navigate to Customize → Connectors.
2

Add Custom Connector

Click the "+" button and select Add custom connector. Paste your Vinkius endpoint URL: https://edge.vinkius.com/[YOUR_TOKEN_HERE]/mcp Replace [YOUR_TOKEN_HERE] with your token from cloud.vinkius.com. For OAuth-protected servers, expand Advanced settings to add credentials.
3

Start a conversation

Open a new chat. The USGS Earthquakes MCP tools are available immediately — no restart needed.

Endpoint URL

https://edge.vinkius.com/[YOUR_TOKEN_HERE]/mcp

No configuration file needed — paste the URL directly in the Claude web interface.

Available on Free (1 connector), Pro, Max, Team, and Enterprise plans.

Prerequisites

Claude Desktop installed (macOS or Windows)
Active Vinkius subscription with a valid endpoint token

1

Open Claude Desktop Settings

Click the menu icon at the top-left corner, go to Settings → Developer → Edit Config. This opens claude_desktop_config.json in your default text editor.
2

Paste the USGS Earthquakes MCP configuration

Copy the JSON snippet on the right into the mcpServers object. Replace [YOUR_TOKEN_HERE] with your endpoint token from cloud.vinkius.com.
3

Restart Claude Desktop

Close and reopen the application. Claude needs a full restart to load new MCPs — refreshing a conversation is not enough.
4

Verify the connection

Open a new conversation. Click the 🔌 icon at the bottom of the message input. You should see tools listed under usgs-earthquakes-mcp.

json

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "usgs-earthquakes-mcp": {
      "url": "https://edge.vinkius.com/[YOUR_TOKEN_HERE]/mcp"
    }
  }
}

Get your connection token →

Independent Platform Disclaimer: Vinkius is an independent platform and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, sponsored by, verified by, or otherwise authorized by USGS. All third-party trademarks, logos, and brand names are the property of their respective owners. Their use on this website is strictly for informational purposes to identify service compatibility and interoperability.

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Common questions about USGS Earthquakes MCP in Claude Desktop

You invoke the MCP Server directly in your chat input. For instance, you can ask it to run a query using specific coordinates and date ranges. It executes the function call against the live seismic network.

The `query_earthquakes` tool can return up to 20,000 events in a single query. This large capacity makes it ideal for deep historical research or comprehensive mapping projects.

Yes, you can filter results by specifying `minmagnitude` within your query parameters. You just tell the server what minimum size of earthquake you're looking for, and it narrows the focus immediately.

This server handles real-time seismic event records. Specifically, it provides magnitude measurements, geographic coordinates (latitude/longitude), and time stamps for global earthquake activity.

Absolutely. By setting both `starttime` and `endtime`, you can execute deep queries that pull historical seismic records, allowing you to analyze long-term patterns of activity.

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