Frequently asked questions
What does ATLAS show?
Active or recent natural phenomena: wildfires, earthquakes, cyclones, official flood-related mapping activations, volcanic activity and territorial meteorological drought when official records are on-going.
Are the data real time?
It depends on each source. Some feeds update near real time and others are curated and reviewed metadata. ATLAS shows update times and avoids calling data real time when it is not.
Why does a card disappear?
The main card remains visible for about twelve seconds. It then folds away so the tour can continue, while the pulse remains visible as long as the event stays in the sources.
Can I search for a country?
Yes. The magnifying glass opens progressive search for countries, territories, regions, phenomena and specific active situations. The selected country is highlighted and the modal separates “Occurs in this country” from “Affects or is related to this country”.
How can an event in one country affect another?
Cyclones and other phenomena can cross borders. ATLAS uses available geometries and tracks to preserve the relationship between origin and affected area without falsely assigning the origin to the searched country.
Does ATLAS request my location?
Only after you press “Show my area”. It is used once to orient the globe. It is not displayed, stored or shared.
Does it work offline?
The application shell can open after a first visit, but current events require a connection. ATLAS does not present old data as if they were current.
Does it replace an official alert?
No. In any risk situation, always consult official services and relevant authorities.
Where does the guidance in “What you can do” come from?
The general guidance is based on information from official organizations such as WHO, IFRC and USGS. In a specific situation, always follow the instructions of the local authorities.