According to the USGS, "ShakeMaps provide near-real-time maps of ground motion and shaking intensity following significant earthquakes.

[2] ShakeMap's goal is to "go beyond magnitude and epicenter" to depict the variations in the distribution of shaking intensity.

"[3] ShakeMap is now an open-source software program employed to automatically produce a suite of maps and products that portray the geographical extent and severity of potentially damaging shaking following an earthquake.

It is routinely used to provide post-earthquake situational awareness for emergency management and response and for damage and loss estimation.

ShakeMap is also the primary shaking hazard input for many other downstream USGS earthquake products, including ShakeCast's assessments of critical facilities, PAGER's societal losses, and estimates of ground failure.