California · Earthquakes
California earthquakes today and on record
California is one of the most earthquake-active places in the country. The USGS catalog holds 11,555 quakes of magnitude 3.5 or more here since 1900, including 549 of magnitude 5 or more. Below: every quake in the state this week, a map, and the biggest since 1900.
Updated . Data: U.S. Geological Survey.
- Last 24 hours
- 64
- Past 7 days
- 71
- Most recent
- M1.3,
- Largest on record
- M7.9 (1906)
- M3.5+ since 1900
- 11,555
- M5+ since 1900
- 549
Earthquakes in California this week
Biggest earthquakes in California since 1900
| Mag | Where | Date | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7.9 | San Francisco, California | Apr 18, 1906 | 12 km |
| 7.5 | Kern County, California | Jul 21, 1952 | 6 km |
| 7.4 | 123 km W of Big Lagoon, California | Jan 31, 1922 | 15 km |
| 7.3 | Landers, California | Jun 28, 1992 | 0 km |
| 7.2 | Eureka, California | Nov 8, 1980 | 19 km |
| 7.2 | Petrolia, California | Apr 25, 1992 | 10 km |
| 7.1 | Humboldt County, California | Jan 22, 1923 | 15 km |
| 7.1 | 121 km W of Ferndale, California | Sep 1, 1994 | 10 km |
| 7.1 | Hector Mine, California | Oct 16, 1999 | 14 km |
| 7.1 | Ridgecrest Earthquake Sequence | Jul 6, 2019 | 8 km |
| 7.0 | Offshore Cape Mendocino, California | Dec 5, 2024 | 10 km |
| 6.9 | Lompoc, California | Nov 4, 1927 | 10 km |
Quakes of magnitude 3.5+ by decade
Older decades look quieter partly because there were far fewer seismometers. Counts before about 1970 are incomplete.
Good to know
When was the last earthquake in California?
The most recent one we have is a magnitude 1.3, 3 km SW of Yorba Linda, CA, on November 11. The list above updates every few minutes.
What was the biggest earthquake in California?
A magnitude 7.9 near San Francisco, California on April 18, 1906, the largest in the USGS catalog for the state since 1900.
Does California get earthquakes?
California is one of the most earthquake-active places in the country. The USGS catalog holds 11,555 quakes of magnitude 3.5 or more here since 1900, including 549 of magnitude 5 or more. The USGS national hazard map is the best guide to the chance of strong shaking where you live.
Also in California
California tornado history · Earthquakes today, nationwide · Did I just feel an earthquake?
Other states
History: USGS earthquake catalog, magnitude 3.5 and up since 1900, matched to the state by location (quakes just offshore count for the nearest state). Live: USGS real-time feeds.