California straddles the San Andreas fault system, the boundary between the Pacific and North American plates, and is one of the most earthquake-prone places on Earth. This page pulls real records for California: the largest earthquakes on record from USGS, how often the ground shakes nearby, tsunamis from the NOAA database, and volcanoes from the Smithsonian program. Nothing is guessed.
A quiet recent record is good news, but many damaging earthquakes strike places that were quiet for decades. The only real protection is a warning the moment the ground moves - which is exactly what the free QuakeMate app gives you, along with tsunami and volcano alerts for California.
Check California hazard risk in detail
An interactive breakdown of the earthquake, tsunami and volcano risk in California - or search any city or region.
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Earthquake risk in California - FAQ
Is California at risk of earthquakes?
Yes. On average about 19 quakes a year nearby of magnitude 4+ within 305 km, based on the last 20 years of USGS data. The strongest earthquake on record nearby is M7.9 in 1906.
What was the biggest earthquake in California?
The strongest earthquake on record near California is M7.9, in 1906 (The 1906 San Francisco, California Earthquake), from USGS.
Does California get tsunamis?
Yes - 16 tsunamis since 1851 (most recently 1989) within 305 km, from the NOAA database. The deadliest killed around 62 people.
How do I get earthquake warnings in California?
Download the free QuakeMate app for iPhone. It watches your location and sends a real-time push the instant a quake strikes nearby, plus tsunami and volcano alerts, with custom magnitude and distance rules. On Android, join the waitlist.