In the field of Volunteered Geographic Information usage, understanding the historical background from which it came can be just as important as the information and data it currently provides. This study reviews the development of the OpenStreetMap.org dataset and its potential temporal utility following natural disasters. First, a review of the related studies into the use of this type of geographic information and description of the types and motivations of contributors is conducted. Second, contribution activity surrounding 4 major earthquake events and the community’s response is reviewed. A process workflow is derived for analyzing the spatial variance of OpenStreetMap.org data to that of a trusted dataset with the further goal of supporting the data’s use in operations. A scenario is then used to test the workflow with the final output of cartographic products geared towards indicating the temporal use of OpenStreetMap.org data in prioritizing data collection during ongoing operations.