Recent earthquakes near San Francisco
San Francisco sits between two major branches of the San Andreas system — the San Andreas Fault to the west and the Hayward Fault across the bay to the east. Both are capable of major earthquakes near the dense Bay Area population. The 1906 earthquake (M7.9) and the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake (M6.9) both struck the region. In the past 24 hours, San Francisco has recorded 1 earthquake, the largest an M3.4 (9 km SW of Brentwood, CA).
Counts include M2.5+ events — the smallest size USGS reports consistently worldwide.
Recent earthquakes
| Magnitude | Time (UTC) | Depth | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| M3.4 | Sep 12, 07:25 UTC | 18 km | 9 km SW of Brentwood, CA |
| M2.5 | Sep 10, 23:03 UTC | 0 km | 1 km N of The Geysers, CA |
| M3.1 | Sep 10, 20:36 UTC | 4 km | 10 km WNW of Cobb, CA |
| M3.0 | Sep 10, 20:36 UTC | 5 km | 10 km WNW of Cobb, CA |
| M2.5 | Sep 10, 02:52 UTC | 10 km | 2 km ESE of Oakland, CA |
| M2.7 | Sep 9, 19:12 UTC | 0 km | 12 km WNW of Cobb, CA |
| M2.6 | Sep 9, 17:19 UTC | 1 km | 11 km WNW of Cobb, CA |
Notable recent activity
An M3.4 earthquake struck 9 km SW of Brentwood, CA at 07:25 UTC on Sep 12 at a depth of 18 km.
An M3.1 earthquake struck 10 km WNW of Cobb, CA at 20:36 UTC on Sep 10 at a depth of 4 km.
An M3.0 earthquake struck 10 km WNW of Cobb, CA at 20:36 UTC on Sep 10 at a depth of 5 km.
Frequently asked questions
Is San Francisco overdue for an earthquake?
The Bay Area faces a high probability of a major earthquake in the coming decades, with forecasts pointing especially to the Hayward Fault. 'Overdue' is not quite accurate, but accumulated strain makes a damaging event likely within a generation.
What was the 1906 San Francisco earthquake?
The April 18, 1906 earthquake, magnitude 7.9, ruptured the San Andreas Fault along the coast and, with the fires that followed, destroyed much of San Francisco and killed roughly 3,000 people. It is a landmark event in earthquake science.
Which fault is most dangerous for San Francisco?
The Hayward Fault, running through the densely populated East Bay, is considered one of the most dangerous in the country. It last produced a major earthquake in 1868 and is closely monitored for its potential to strike the urban Bay Area.
Nearby regions
Live data from the USGS earthquake feeds. Magnitudes and depths are automated readings and may be revised. Not for emergency use.