- Get the focal mechanism data: Ensure that your data is accurate and in the correct format. The data should include parameters like strike, dip, and rake.
- Make SVG files for each focal mechanism: This can be a bit tedious, but it’s necessary for visualizing each mechanism on your map.
- Load the data in QGIS or your preffered GIS software: You can plot a single focal mechanism by clicking the button on the map toolbar, and then double-clicking on the earthquake location on the map. This will plot on the map, and you can drag it to the location where you want it.
- Change the Style settings to find the icon paths: This steps involves linking your SVG files to the data points on your map.
- Set min/max map scale limits, change icon size by map scale, etc. These adjustments can help improve the readability of your map.
- Plotting focal mechanism ‘beachball’ in QGIS: https://rocksandwater.net/blog/2017/09/plot-focal-mechs-in-qgis/
- Visualizing 3D Focal mechanism(beach ball) in QGIS: https://geoscience.blog/visualizing-3d-focal-mechanism-beach-ball-in-qgis/