Blinkly
Explore USGS earthquake data with natural language queries using our MCP server integration
The USGS Quakes-MCP Server provides access to real-time earthquake data through the Model Context Protocol (MCP) within Claude Desktop. MCP is a universal protocol that enables AI applications and tools to connect with data sources in a standardized manner, similar to how USB-C connectors enable various devices to communicate. The primary function of this server is to facilitate the seamless integration of USGS Quakes API capabilities into AI-driven applications like Claude Desktop.
The USGS Quakes-MCP Server offers key features that enhance its compatibility and functionality:
Search Queries: Users can run queries using natural language, such as finding earthquakes over 2 magnitude in Florida over the last 20 years. The server translates these queries into structured parameters for the USGS API.
Specific Earthquake Details: It provides detailed information about a specific earthquake event, offering a comprehensive view of seismic activities.
These features leverage MCP to ensure that AI applications can easily access and utilize earthquake data without needing deep knowledge of the underlying APIs. The protocol abstracts away many complexities, making integration more straightforward and beneficial for developers and users alike.
The USGS Quakes-MCP Server is implemented in a modular architecture that adheres to the Model Context Protocol standards. This implementation involves the following key components:
MCP Client Compatibility: The server supports full compatibility with Claude Desktop, which is demonstrated through configuration samples and integration flow diagrams.
Data Flow Diagram: A Mermaid diagram illustrates the MCP protocol flow between the AI application (e.g., Claude Desktop) and the USGS Quakes-MCP Server. This visual representation helps in understanding how data requests are translated into action.
Installing the USGS Quakes-MCP Server can be done through Smithery or manually via Node.js:
For easy automation, users can install the server using Smithery by running:
npx -y @smithery/cli install @blake365/usgs-quakes-mcp --client claude
For those familiar with development processes, manual installation is also an option:
npm install in your terminal within the cloned folder.Natural Language Search for Earthquakes: Developers can create applications that allow users to ask natural language questions about earthquakes, such as "Find all major quakes in California since 2018." This feature is particularly useful for real-time monitoring and analysis.
Detailed Earthquake Analysis: Applications can query specific earthquake events using structured prompts like "Get the details of the earthquake that occurred near Florida on March 6, 2019." This provides detailed insights into seismic activities.
The USGS Quakes-MCP Server is designed to integrate seamlessly with MCP clients. The following table outlines the compatibility matrix for major MCP clients:
| MCP Client | Resources | Tools | Prompts | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Claude Desktop | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | Full Support |
| Continue | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | Full Support |
| Cursor | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | Tools Only |
Integration with these clients is facilitated by a well-defined MCP protocol and supported by sample configuration codes.
To ensure compatibility and performance, the USGS Quakes-MCP Server has been tested extensively. The following diagram uses Mermaid to illustrate the data flow architecture:
graph TD
A[AI Application] -->|MCP Client| B[MCP Protocol]
B --> C[MCP Server]
C --> D[Data Source/Tool]
style A fill:#e1f5fe
style C fill:#f3e5f5
style D fill:#e8f5e8
This diagram highlights the interactions between elements, ensuring clear communication and efficient data handling.
For advanced users who wish to customize or debug the server:
src/index.ts file with custom logic.npm install before making changes to ensure all dependencies are up-to-date.npm run build to rebuild the server. Relaunch Claude Desktop after these changes.If you encounter errors during installation, try providing the full path to your Node.js command, e.g., /usr/local/bin/node.
Cursor currently only supports tools and not prompts or resources for this specific MCP server implementation.
The USGS API has rate limitations, so while the server handles these internally, frequent high-volume requests may still hit those limits.
You can run multiple instances without issues; however, ensure they are configured to avoid conflicts in resource management.
Updates should be transparent unless changes impact compatibility or API behavior. Always check the latest version documentation for any necessary adjustments.
Contributions to improve and extend functionality are welcome:
By following these guidelines, community members can actively contribute to enhancing the USGS Quakes-MCP Server.
The Model Context Protocol (MCP) ecosystem supports a wide range of data sources and tools. Users are encouraged to explore other MCP servers and integrate them with their workflows to maximize AI capabilities.
This documentation aims to provide a comprehensive guide for integrating the USGS Quakes-MCP Server into various AI-driven applications, leveraging its powerful features through the MCP protocol.
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