Records
59
Earthquakes in California
863 earthquakes (M4+) recorded in California between 2005-2025. Data from USGS.
California has recorded 863 earthquakes of magnitude 4.0 or greater between 2005 and 2025, including 8 significant events at M6.0 or above. The strongest quake reached magnitude 7.2 near 123 km W of Big Lagoon, California. The most active year on record was 1980, with 4 events.
Seismic Profile of California
California: 863 M4+ events (2005–2025) — 8 significant (M6+), strongest M7.2 near 123 km W of Big Lagoon, California, avg magnitude 4.4, ~20 M4+ events/year across 43 active years. Depth profile: 59 shallow / 0 intermediate / 0 deep (100% shallow). Peak year: 1980 (4 events). USGS catalog scope + ShakeMap methodology →
How to read these figures: every count on this page comes from the USGS Comprehensive Earthquake Catalog (ComCat), the federal record of more than 1,000 instrumentally measured events logged across the United States since 2005. A higher total does not always mean a state faces more danger, because catalog totals reflect both genuine activity and the density of seismic stations that detect smaller tremors. Shallow events under 70 kilometers deep produce the strongest surface shaking for a given magnitude, so the shallow share above matters as much as the raw count when you gauge real-world risk. Magnitude values can be revised for weeks after an event as analysts refine waveform data, which is why our maximum and average figures may differ slightly from a first headline. For the authoritative, site-specific hazard estimate behind any building decision, consult the USGS National Seismic Hazard Model rather than these summary statistics. Our methodology page documents the exact query, the 2005 to 2025 window, and the magnitude thresholds used here.
Total Earthquakes
863
Significant (M6+)
8
Maximum Magnitude
7.2
Avg Magnitude
4.4
Coverage
2005-2025
Source
USGS ComCat
Shallow event share (<70 km depth) 100.0%
USGS PGA Hazard Tier — California
PGA hazard tier estimate for California — California (USGS NSHM)
Tier estimate derived from California's catalog rank and maximum magnitude. For the authoritative site-specific PGA, query the USGS Unified Hazard Tool.
Seismic Activity in California
California has experienced 863 earthquakes of magnitude 4.0 or greater since 2005, based on data from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Comprehensive Earthquake Catalog. Of these, 8 were significant events reaching magnitude 6.0 or above — the threshold where structural damage becomes likely. The strongest recorded event reached magnitude 7.2.
Seismic activity in California has varied over the recording period, with 43 years of data available. Understanding historical patterns helps communities prepare through building codes, emergency plans, and public awareness.
Events by Year
2022
1
2021
2
2016
1
2014
1
2012
1
2005
2
2003
1
1995
1
1994
1
1993
1
1992
2
1991
1
1984
2
1980
4
1976
1
1972
1
1971
1
1960
1
1957
1
1956
1
1954
1
1952
2
1951
1
1949
1
1948
1
1945
1
1941
3
1937
1
1936
1
1926
3
1925
1
1923
1
1922
2
1918
1
1916
1
1915
2
1911
1
1910
2
1909
1
1908
1
1906
1
1905
1
1903
2
Significant Earthquakes (59)
| Mag | Location | Depth | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6.4 | 15km WSW of Ferndale, CA | 17.9 km | Dec 20, 2022 |
| 6.2 | 7km N of Petrolia, CA | 27.0 km | Dec 20, 2021 |
| 6.0 | Antelope Valley, CA | 7.5 km | Jul 8, 2021 |
| 6.6 | 164 km W of Ferndale, California | 8.4 km | Dec 8, 2016 |
| 6.8 | 77 km WNW of Indianola, California | 16.4 km | Mar 10, 2014 |
| 6.3 | 279 km SSW of Avalon, California | 13.0 km | Dec 14, 2012 |
| 6.6 | 196 km W of Ferndale, California | 12.0 km | Jun 17, 2005 |
| 7.2 | 153 km W of Big Lagoon, California | 16.0 km | Jun 15, 2005 |
| 6.5 | 10 km NE of San Simeon, California | 8.4 km | Dec 22, 2003 |
| 6.6 | 126 km W of Ferndale, California | 4.6 km | Feb 19, 1995 |
| 7.1 | 121 km W of Ferndale, California | 10.0 km | Sep 1, 1994 |
| 6.1 | 46km E of Big Pine, California | 3.6 km | May 17, 1993 |
| 6.6 | 32 km SW of Ferndale, California | 21.7 km | Apr 26, 1992 |
| 6.5 | 30 km WSW of Ferndale, California | 18.8 km | Apr 26, 1992 |
| 6.0 | 30 km SSW of Scotia, California | 8.3 km | Aug 17, 1991 |
| 6.1 | 4 km NNW of Round Valley, California | 8.1 km | Nov 23, 1984 |
| 6.7 | 217 km W of Ferndale, California | 10.0 km | Sep 10, 1984 |
| 6.2 | 9 km SW of Aspen Springs, California | 13.8 km | May 27, 1980 |
| 6.1 | 8 km W of Aspen Springs, California | 11.9 km | May 25, 1980 |
| 6.0 | 7 km ENE of Mammoth Lakes, California | 6.7 km | May 25, 1980 |
| 6.1 | 11 km WNW of Aspen Springs, California | 6.8 km | May 25, 1980 |
| 6.3 | 67 km W of Trinidad, California | 41.8 km | Nov 26, 1976 |
| 6.0 | 105 km W of Ferndale, California | 11.1 km | Mar 1, 1972 |
| 6.6 | 1971 San Fernando Earthquake, California | 8.9 km | Feb 9, 1971 |
| 6.2 | 219 km W of Ferndale, California | 10.0 km | Aug 9, 1960 |
| 6.1 | 172 km WSW of Crescent City, California | 15.0 km | Feb 9, 1957 |
| 6.4 | 155 km W of Ferndale, California | 10.0 km | Oct 11, 1956 |
| 6.8 | 123 km W of Ferndale, California | 10.0 km | Nov 25, 1954 |
| 6.2 | 28km NW of Cambria, CA | 6.0 km | Nov 22, 1952 |
| 6.0 | 31 km NW of Shelter Cove, California | 15.0 km | Sep 22, 1952 |
| 6.0 | 53 km SW of Ferndale, California | 15.0 km | Oct 8, 1951 |
| 6.4 | 169 km W of Crescent City, California | 15.0 km | Mar 24, 1949 |
| 6.0 | 6 km WNW of Verdi, California | 0.0 km | Dec 29, 1948 |
| 6.3 | 191 km WSW of Ferndale, California | 10.0 km | May 19, 1945 |
| 6.5 | 68 km W of Ferndale, California | 10.0 km | Oct 3, 1941 |
| 6.3 | 201 km WSW of Ferndale, California | 10.0 km | May 13, 1941 |
| 6.8 | 84 km W of Ferndale, California | 15.0 km | Feb 9, 1941 |
| 6.0 | 16km WSW of Oasis, CA | 6.0 km | Mar 25, 1937 |
| 6.1 | 123 km WSW of Ferndale, California | 10.0 km | Jun 3, 1936 |
| 6.2 | 183 km WNW of Indianola, California | 15.0 km | Dec 10, 1926 |
| 6.3 | 16 km SW of Davenport, California | 10.0 km | Oct 22, 1926 |
| 6.3 | 22 km S of Davenport, California | 15.0 km | Oct 22, 1926 |
| 6.0 | 72 km WSW of Crescent City, California | 0.0 km | Jun 4, 1925 |
| 6.2 | 3 km SE of San Bernardino, California | 5.0 km | Jul 23, 1923 |
| 7.4 | 123 km W of Big Lagoon, California | 15.0 km | Jan 31, 1922 |
| 6.0 | 153 km WNW of Indianola, California | 0.0 km | Jan 26, 1922 |
| 6.5 | 52 km WNW of Big Lagoon, California | 15.0 km | Jul 15, 1918 |
| 6.1 | 26 km NNE of Baker, California | 0.0 km | Nov 10, 1916 |
| 6.4 | 187 km W of Trinidad, California | 15.0 km | Dec 31, 1915 |
| 6.3 | 237 km WSW of Ferndale, California | 15.0 km | May 6, 1915 |
| 6.5 | Near Morgan Hill, California | 10.0 km | Jul 1, 1911 |
| 6.0 | Near Bishop, California | 0.0 km | May 6, 1910 |
| 6.0 | Offshore Humboldt County, California | 0.0 km | Mar 19, 1910 |
| 6.0 | Near Rio Dell, California | 0.0 km | Oct 29, 1909 |
| 6.0 | Death Valley area, California | 0.0 km | Nov 4, 1908 |
| 6.4 | Northwest of Eureka, California | 0.0 km | Apr 23, 1906 |
| 6.1 | Northwest of Huron, California | 0.0 km | May 26, 1905 |
| 6.2 | Near San Jose, California | 0.0 km | Aug 3, 1903 |
| 6.1 | Near San Jose, California | 0.0 km | Jun 11, 1903 |
Learn More About Earthquakes
Guides to help you understand earthquake data, preparedness, and risk.
Related Data for California
Explore hazard, climate, and insurance data from other federal sources. Storm and climate datasets originate with the NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information; you can also browse the source NOAA Storm Events Database directly.
PlainHazard — California Disasters
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PlainClimate — California Climate
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PlainInsure — California Insurance
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PlainCities — California Cities
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Source: USGS ComCat (Comprehensive Earthquake Catalog) + USGS National Seismic Hazard Model + FEMA NEHRP USGS earthquake event catalog for California + 2023 USGS National Seismic Hazard Model PGA classes (FEMA Seismic Design Categories A-F) · 2024 USGS ComCat updated continuously; magnitude/depth/location revised as analysis evolves. Seismic hazard model published in 2023, applies to 50-year, 2% probability-of-exceedance ground motion estimates.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many earthquakes have occurred in California? ▼
California has recorded 863 earthquakes of magnitude 4.0 or greater between 2005 and 2025, with 8 significant events (M6+). The average magnitude of recorded events is 4.4.
What was the largest earthquake in California? ▼
The largest recorded earthquake in California (2005-2025) was a magnitude 7.4 event near 123 km W of Big Lagoon, California on Jan 31, 1922. It occurred at a depth of 15.0 km.
Is California at risk for earthquakes? ▼
California has significant seismic activity with 863 recorded events (M4+) in the USGS dataset. Earthquake risk depends on proximity to fault lines, soil conditions, and building standards. USGS maintains real-time monitoring at earthquake.usgs.gov.
How often do earthquakes happen in California? ▼
Based on USGS data from 2005 to 2025, California averages approximately 20 earthquakes (M4+) per year. The most seismically active year was 1980 with 4 recorded events. Frequency can vary significantly from year to year depending on tectonic stress and fault activity.
How deep are earthquakes in California? ▼
The average earthquake depth in California is 9.9 km. 59 events (100%) were shallow (under 70 km), which tend to cause the most surface damage. Shallow earthquakes generally produce stronger ground shaking than deeper ones of similar magnitude.
Does California have earthquake building codes? ▼
Building codes in California follow standards set by the International Building Code (IBC), which incorporates USGS seismic hazard maps. Given California's significant seismic activity (863 events M4+), structures are required to meet enhanced seismic design requirements. Specific requirements vary by jurisdiction and structure type.
Data Sources
Primary Source: U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Earthquake Hazards Program, Comprehensive Earthquake Catalog (ComCat), 2005–2025. Includes all seismic events of magnitude 4.0 and above within California. Data accessed via USGS Earthquake API.
Methodology: Magnitude values follow the moment magnitude scale (Mw). Depth is measured in kilometers from the surface. Events are classified as shallow (<70 km), intermediate (70–300 km), or deep (>300 km).
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
Related
Data sourced from official U.S. government datasets. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainQuake Editorial