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Soon after this week’s 5.2 earthquake near San Diego, the Twitter feed of the Great California Shakeout asked their followers to visit the United States Geological Survey’s (USGS) “Did You Feel It?” website. “Did You Feel It?” collects reports from citizens after temblors from around the world.

These public reporting can be very helpful according to the USGS:

This web site is intended to tap the abundant information available about earthquakes from the people who actually experience them. By taking advantage of the vast numbers of Internet users, we can get a more complete description of what people experienced, the effects of the earthquake, and the extent of damage, than traditional ways of gathering felt information. And best of all, with your help we can do so almost instantly.

By contributing your experience of the earthquake, either immediately afterward, or whenever it is possible for you to do so, you will have made a contribution to the scientific body of information about this earthquake. You will also ensure that your area has been represented in the compilation of the shaking map. This is a two-way street. Not only will you add valuable information on the extent of ground shaking and damage, but in the process we hope you will learn more about how other communities fared and gain a greater understanding of the effects of earthquakes.

For more information on the “Did You Feel?” program or on reporting an earthquake, you can find the web site here.