How often do earthquakes happen in California?

Since 1973, California has averaged 40 earthquakes of magnitude 4 or more a year and 3.6 of magnitude 5 or more. The busiest year for magnitude 4 or more is 1992, with 199.

By year

California earthquakes of magnitude 4 or more

The largest

Largest California earthquakes

Jul 21, 1952	7.5	The 1952 Kern County, California Earthquake	3.7
Jun 28, 1992	7.3	The 1992 Landers, California Earthquake	-0.1
Apr 25, 1992	7.2	The 1992 Petrolia, California Earthquake	6.1
Oct 16, 1999	7.1	The 1999 Hector Mine, California Earthquake	8.5
Jul 6, 2019	7.1	Ridgecrest Earthquake Sequence	5.0
May 19, 1940	6.9	The 1940 Imperial Valley, California Earthquake	3.7
Oct 18, 1989	6.9	The 1989 Loma Prieta, California Earthquake	10.7
Jan 17, 1994	6.7	Northridge, California, earthquake	11.3
May 2, 1983	6.7	The 1983 Coalinga, California Earthquake	6.0
Apr 21, 1918	6.7	The 1918 San Jacinto, California Earthquake	6.2
Feb 9, 1971	6.6	1971 San Fernando Earthquake, California	5.6
Oct 21, 1942	6.6	The 1942 Fish Creek Mountains, California Earthquake	3.7
Apr 9, 1968	6.6	The 1968 Borrego Mountain, California Earthquake	6.2
Nov 24, 1987	6.6	The 1987 Superstition Hills, California Earthquake	6.9
Mar 10, 1922	6.5	1922 Parkfield, California Earthquake	—
Dec 22, 2003	6.5	10 km NE of San Simeon, California	5.2
Apr 10, 1947	6.5	The 1947 Manix, California Earthquake	3.7
Jul 1, 1911	6.5	Near Morgan Hill, California	6.2
Dec 21, 1954	6.4	The 1954 Eureka-Arcata, California Earthquake	9.3
Jul 21, 1986	6.4	The 1986 Chalfant Valley, California Earthquake	5.5
Mar 19, 1954	6.4	The 1954 San Jacinto Fault, California Earthquake	3.7
Mar 3, 1901	6.4	1901 Parkfield, California Earthquake	—
Jul 4, 2019	6.4	Ridgecrest Earthquake Sequence	6.5
Mar 15, 1946	6.3	The 1946 Walker Pass, California Earthquake	3.7
Jun 28, 1992	6.3	The 1992 Big Bear, California Earthquake	2.3
Apr 19, 1906	6.3	The 1906 Imperial Valley, California Earthquake	—
Jul 23, 1923	6.2	3 km SE of San Bernardino, California	3.1
Aug 3, 1903	6.2	Near San Jose, California	—
May 27, 1980	6.2	9 km SW of Aspen Springs, California	8.6
Apr 24, 1984	6.2	The 1984 Morgan Hill, California Earthquake	5.1
Nov 24, 1987	6.2	The 1987 Elmore Ranch, California Earthquake	6.7
Dec 20, 2021	6.2	7km N of Petrolia, CA	16.8
May 17, 1993	6.1	46km E of Big Pine, California	2.2
Nov 23, 1984	6.1	4 km NNW of Round Valley, California	5.0
May 26, 1905	6.1	Northwest of Huron, California	—
May 25, 1980	6.1	8 km W of Aspen Springs, California	7.4
Apr 23, 1992	6.1	The 1992 Joshua Tree, California Earthquake	7.2
Jun 11, 1903	6.1	Near San Jose, California	—
May 25, 1980	6.1	11 km WNW of Aspen Springs, California	4.2
Aug 24, 2014	6.0	The 2014 South Napa, California Earthquake	6.9
Sep 22, 1952	6.0	31 km NW of Shelter Cove, California	9.3
Aug 17, 1991	6.0	30 km SSW of Scotia, California	5.2
Dec 29, 1948	6.0	6 km WNW of Verdi, California	—
Jul 8, 2021	6.0	Antelope Valley, CA	4.6
Dec 4, 1948	6.0	The 1948 Desert Hot Springs, California Earthquake	3.7
Sep 14, 1941	6.0	Mammoth Lakes area, California	—
Sep 14, 1941	6.0	Mammoth Lakes area, California	—
May 25, 1980	6.0	7 km ENE of Mammoth Lakes, California	4.2
Jul 8, 1986	6.0	The 1986 North Palm Springs, California Earthquake	5.9
Mar 25, 1937	6.0	16km WSW of Oasis, CA	3.7