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.
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.
What the record shows for California
The strongest earthquake on record near California is a magnitude 7.9 in 1906, centred The 1906 San Francisco, California Earthquake - 120 years ago. The event is catalogued by USGS. See the event record.
Over the last 20 years, USGS has catalogued 384 earthquakes of magnitude 4 or greater within 305 km of California - roughly 19 a year. That rate describes how often the ground moves enough to be recorded, not how often damage occurs; most of these are never felt.
The NOAA NCEI database records 16 tsunamis within 305 km of California between 1851 and 1989. The most significant was in 1989 near N. California, triggered by an M6.9 earthquake, which killed around 62 people.
8 volcanoes are catalogued near California, including Mammoth Mountain, Inyo Craters, Mono-Inyo Craters, Mono Lake Volcanic Field, Golden Trout Creek, Ubehebe Craters and 2 more. Volcanic systems generate their own earthquake swarms, which is why activity here can look different from a purely tectonic region.
Sources: USGS earthquake catalog, NOAA tsunami database, and the Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program. Figures update as the catalogs are revised.
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.