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Earthquakes · Los Angeles, California
Was that an earthquake near Los Angeles?
Latest earthquakes near Los Angeles, live from the USGS
In the last 24 hours the USGS recorded 1 earthquake of magnitude 1 or more near Los Angeles; the largest was M2.0, 3 km SSW of Chatsworth, CA, at 11:34 p.m. PST. In the last 7 days there were 1 quake of magnitude 2.5 or more. As of 7:00 a.m. PST.
Strongest in the last 30 days: M2.5, 8 km SE of San Pedro, CA, Nov 12, 6:11 p.m. PST.
Strongest in the last 12 months: M3.8, 4 km SE of Piru, CA, Sep 29.
Gold dots are the last 24 hours. Rows marked "auto" are first, automatic solutions; the USGS revises them, often within the hour.
Last 24 hours, magnitude 1 and up
Last 7 days, magnitude 2.5 and up
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Did we just have an earthquake near me?
Check the list at the top of this page. It reads the U.S. Geological Survey's live feed every few minutes. Automatic locations for most US quakes appear within minutes, and small or remote ones can take longer. If you felt shaking that isn't listed yet, wait a few minutes and refresh, or report it to the USGS "Did You Feel It?" survey.
The last 12 months
72 earthquakes of magnitude 2.5 or more near Los Angeles in the last 12 months. The largest was M3.8, 4 km SE of Piru, CA, on Sep 29. The busiest week began Dec 11, with 9 quakes.
Biggest earthquakes near Los Angeles
The five largest of the last 50 years in the USGS catalogue, within 62 miles.
| Magnitude | Where | Date | Links |
|---|---|---|---|
| M6.7 | Northridge, California, earthquake | January 17, 1994 | USGS |
| M5.9 | The 1987 Whittier Narrows, California Earthquake | October 1, 1987 | USGS |
| M5.9 | 1km ENE of Granada Hills, California | January 17, 1994 | USGS |
| M5.8 | The 1991 Sierra Madre, California Earthquake | June 28, 1991 | USGS |
| M5.6 | 7km NNE of Simi Valley, California | January 17, 1994 | USGS |
Why does Los Angeles get earthquakes?
The Los Angeles region is laced with active faults. The San Andreas Fault runs along the north side of the San Gabriel Mountains, about 55 km from downtown, and is capable of a magnitude 7.8 or larger. Closer in, faults beneath the city itself, like the Puente Hills thrust under downtown and the Newport–Inglewood Fault from Beverly Hills to Long Beach, can cause severe local shaking.
The M6.7 Northridge earthquake of 17 January 1994, on a hidden thrust fault under the San Fernando Valley, killed about 60 people and was one of the costliest disasters in US history. The 1933 Long Beach (M6.4), 1971 San Fernando (M6.6) and 1987 Whittier Narrows (M5.9) earthquakes came from similar faults. Small quakes are recorded in the area most days.
Last reviewed 4 November 2026. Sources: Southern California Earthquake Data Center.
What magnitude earthquake can you feel?
People close to the epicentre often feel quakes from about magnitude 2.5 to 3, especially indoors on upper floors. Below that, most go unnoticed. How strong it feels depends on distance, depth and the ground under you, so a shallow M3 nearby can feel stronger than a deep M4 farther away.
How long do aftershocks last?
Aftershocks are most frequent in the first hours and days after a quake and then fade, though after a large one they can go on for months or even years. Most are smaller than the main shock, but a damaging one is possible. For significant US quakes, the USGS publishes an aftershock forecast with the chances for the coming days and weeks.
What should I do during an earthquake?
Drop, cover and hold on: get down on your hands and knees, cover your head and neck under a sturdy table, and hold on until the shaking stops. If you're in bed, stay there and protect your head with a pillow. Don't run outside during shaking, and keep away from windows. Doorways aren't safer in most modern homes. See Ready.gov and the Earthquake Country Alliance for more.
Can earthquakes be predicted?
No. Scientists can't predict the time, place and size of a particular earthquake. They can estimate the chance of a large quake in a region over decades, which is how building codes and insurance are set. On the West Coast, the ShakeAlert system can give seconds of warning once a quake has started, but that's detection, not prediction.
Tsunami status
No tsunami warning, advisory or watch was in effect at our last check of the National Tsunami Warning Center and Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (7:00 a.m. PST).
Official messages: tsunami.gov. If you are on the coast and feel a strong or long quake, move to high ground without waiting for a message.
Nearby
Other hazards near Los Angeles
How this page works
The lists read the U.S. Geological Survey's real-time feeds: every quake of the past day and every quake of magnitude 2.5 or more of the past month, refreshed every few minutes. The 12-month history and the 50-year list come from the USGS earthquake catalogue (ComCat), read once a day and once a week. A quake counts here when its epicentre is within 62 miles (100 km) of Los Angeles, whichever state it is in.
First magnitudes and locations are automatic and are often revised within hours; rows marked "auto" haven't been reviewed by a seismologist yet. Felt reports are the number of "Did You Feel It?" responses the USGS has so far. Times are local (America/Los Angeles).
Gods Eyes is not an early warning system and is not affiliated with any government agency. In an emergency, follow local officials and call 911.
Earthquakes: data courtesy of the U.S. Geological Survey · Map and place names: Natural Earth (public domain). All data sources.