Earthquakes in Sacramento, California
Last earthquake: 4 days ago · 6 in past 30 days · Largest: M2.3 · Population 525K
Last updated: July 18, 2026 at 12:32 PM UTC · Data: USGS Earthquake Hazards Program
No significant earthquakes recorded near Sacramento recently. No M2.5+ events within 75 km in the past 30 days.
Quick Facts — Earthquakes in Sacramento
- Population
- 525K
- Seismic activity level
- moderate
- Nearest major fault
- Foothills Fault System (40 km)
- Largest recorded nearby
- M6.9 (1989 Loma Prieta earthquake)
- 30-year probability M6.7+
- 30% (UCERF3)
- Earthquakes past 30 days
- 6
- 2026 total (M1.0+)
- 57
The Sacramento area averages about 3 magnitude 4.0+ earthquakes per year and has recorded 6 earthquakes (M1.0+) within 75 km in the past 30 days. The largest event in the past 30 days was a magnitude 2.3 event 2 km WSW of Granite Bay, CA.
Sacramento sits in the moderate category for U.S. seismic activity. The largest earthquake in or near Sacramento since records began was the magnitude 6.9 Loma Prieta earthquake in 1989, which struck approximately 175 km southwest of the city.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey's UCERF3 model, there is approximately a 30% probability of a magnitude 6.7 or greater earthquake within 100 km of Sacramento in the next 30 years, and a 20% probability of a magnitude 7.0 or greater event. The largest credible earthquake predicted for the Sacramento area is a magnitude 6.5 event on the Foothills Fault System, which lies 40 km from downtown Sacramento. Source: UCERF3 (Field et al. 2015) and USGS NSHM 2023
Sacramento sits in a region characterized by the San Andreas transform fault system, where the Pacific and North American plates slide past each other at roughly 46 mm per year. Beyond the Foothills Fault System, secondary fault systems include the Great Valley Thrust and Hayward Fault. View all earthquakes in California.
2026 Activity vs Historical Average
Earthquake Map — Sacramento Area
Fault Lines Near Sacramento
| Fault Name | Type | Distance | Max Credible Mag | Last Major Rupture |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Foothills Fault System | right-lateral strike-slip | 40 km | M6.5 | 1975 (M5.7 Oroville) |
| Great Valley Thrust | thrust | 30 km | M6.7 | blind thrust — limited data |
| Hayward Fault | right-lateral strike-slip | 110 km | M7.0 | 1868 (M6.8) |
| San Andreas Fault | right-lateral strike-slip | 145 km | M7.9 | 1906 (M7.9) |
Recent Earthquakes (Last 30 Days)
Dataset at a glance — Sacramento
Over the past 30 days, Sacramento has recorded 6 earthquakes of magnitude 2.5 or greater in our tracker. By depth: 6 shallow (<70 km). 1 of the epicenters were offshore. Focal depths ranged from 0.4 km to 15.9 km. 3 of the 6 solutions have been reviewed by a USGS seismologist; the remaining 3 are automatic and may be refined.
Each row in the table below includes a narrative summary of the event, ordered by time. Use the column headers to sort or filter by magnitude.
| Time ↓ | Mag ↕ | Location ↕ | Depth ↕ | Felt ↕ | MMI | Alert | Status | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
4 days ago 2026-07-14 08:44:44 UTC | 2.3md | 2 km WSW of Granite Bay, CA 38.757°, -121.183° | 9.5 km | - | - | - | Auto | USGS → |
On July 14, 2026 at 08:44 UTC, a magnitude 2.3 earthquake struck 2 km WSW of Granite Bay, CA. It is the largest earthquake currently listed for Sacramento over the past 30 days. See the M2.3 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
6 days ago 2026-07-12 06:58:09 UTC | 1.8md | 5 km S of Pittsburg, CA 37.984°, -121.877° | 15.9 km | - | - | - | Auto | USGS → |
Seismographs logged a magnitude 1.8 earthquake 5 km S of Pittsburg, CA with origin time 06:58 UTC on July 12, 2026. This is the deepest earthquake in the current dataset — a shallow crustal event. See the M1.8 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2026-07-09 2026-07-09 20:54:51 UTC | 2.3md | 8 km WNW of Ione, CA 38.389°, -121.015° | 0.4 km | - | - | - | Auto | USGS → |
A magnitude 2.3 earthquake was recorded 8 km WNW of Ione, CA on July 9, 2026 at 20:54 UTC. This is the shallowest earthquake in the current dataset — a shallow crustal event. See the M2.3 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2026-07-02 2026-07-02 12:33:39 UTC | 1.4md | 14 km ESE of Angwin, CA 38.544°, -122.295° | 5.4 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
At 12:33 UTC on July 2, 2026, a magnitude 1.4 tremor occurred 14 km ESE of Angwin, CA. See the M1.4 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2026-07-02 2026-07-02 11:50:26 UTC | 1.1md | 13 km ESE of Angwin, CA 38.541°, -122.305° | 5.1 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
The USGS recorded this magnitude 1.1 earthquake 13 km ESE of Angwin, CA at 11:50 UTC on July 2, 2026. See the M1.1 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2026-06-23 2026-06-23 04:46:27 UTC | 1.4md | 7 km NNW of Green Valley, CA 38.312°, -122.186° | 10.9 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
On June 23, 2026, Sacramento registered a magnitude 1.4 earthquake 7 km NNW of Green Valley, CA at 04:46 UTC. See the M1.4 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
Common Questions About Earthquakes in Sacramento
How often do earthquakes happen in Sacramento?
Sacramento experiences moderate earthquake activity. The area averages 30 earthquakes of magnitude 3.0 or greater per year, with 0.4 reaching magnitude 5.0 or higher. In the past 30 days, 6 earthquakes (M1.0+) have been recorded within 75 km of the city.
What was the biggest earthquake to hit Sacramento?
The largest earthquake in or near Sacramento since records began was the magnitude 6.9 Loma Prieta earthquake in 1989, which struck approximately 175 km southwest of the city.
What is the earthquake risk in Sacramento?
Earthquakes cannot be predicted with precision. However, the U.S. Geological Survey estimates there is approximately a 30% probability of a magnitude 6.7 or greater earthquake within 100 km of Sacramento in the next 30 years. The most likely source is the Foothills Fault System, which has a maximum credible magnitude of 6.5.
What fault lines are near Sacramento?
The Foothills Fault System runs approximately 40 km from Sacramento and is the most significant local seismic threat, with a maximum credible magnitude of 6.5. Other nearby faults include the Great Valley Thrust (30 km), the Hayward Fault (110 km), the San Andreas Fault (145 km).
Was there an earthquake in Sacramento today?
No earthquakes of magnitude 2.5 or greater have been recorded within 75 km of Sacramento in the past 30 days.
About This Page
This page is maintained by Earthquake Tracker, an independent seismic activity reporting service. Earthquake data is sourced from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Earthquake Hazards Program and updated every hour. Probability estimates use the USGS Uniform California Earthquake Rupture Forecast (UCERF3) for California cities. Historical earthquake data is sourced from the USGS Historical Earthquake Catalog. Fault information comes from the USGS Quaternary Fault and Fold Database and SCEC Community Fault Model.
Last data refresh: July 18, 2026 at 12:32 PM UTC