Earthquakes in San Diego, California
Last earthquake: 3 days ago · 13 in past 30 days · Largest: M1.8 · Population 1.4M
Last updated: July 18, 2026 at 12:12 PM UTC · Data: USGS Earthquake Hazards Program
No significant earthquakes recorded near San Diego recently. No M2.5+ events within 75 km in the past 30 days.
Quick Facts — Earthquakes in San Diego
- Population
- 1.4M
- Seismic activity level
- high
- Nearest major fault
- Rose Canyon Fault (5 km)
- Largest recorded nearby
- M7.3 (1992 Landers earthquake)
- 30-year probability M6.7+
- 75% (UCERF3)
- Earthquakes past 30 days
- 13
- 2026 total (M1.0+)
- 223
The San Diego area averages about 10 magnitude 4.0+ earthquakes per year and has recorded 13 earthquakes (M1.0+) within 75 km in the past 30 days. The largest event in the past 30 days was a magnitude 1.8 event 17 km ESE of Julian, CA.
San Diego sits in the high category for U.S. seismic activity. The largest earthquake in or near San Diego since records began was the magnitude 7.3 Landers earthquake in 1992, which struck approximately 178 km north of the city. In San Diego, the El Mayor-Cucapah earthquake produced shaking intensity of MMI V (weak), with minor cosmetic damage reported.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey's UCERF3 model, there is approximately a 75% probability of a magnitude 6.7 or greater earthquake within 100 km of San Diego in the next 30 years, and a 30% probability of a magnitude 7.0 or greater event. The largest credible earthquake predicted for the San Diego area is a magnitude 7.2 event on the Rose Canyon Fault, which lies 5 km from downtown San Diego. Source: UCERF3 (Field et al. 2015), S. CA region; San Diego County Office of Emergency Services
San Diego 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 Rose Canyon Fault, secondary fault systems include the Coronado Bank Fault and San Diego Trough Fault. View all earthquakes in California.
2026 Activity vs Historical Average
Earthquake Map — San Diego Area
Fault Lines Near San Diego
| Fault Name | Type | Distance | Max Credible Mag | Last Major Rupture |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rose Canyon Fault | right-lateral strike-slip | 5 km | M7.2 | unknown — last major event likely > 1000 years ago |
| Coronado Bank Fault | right-lateral strike-slip | 25 km | M7.7 | paleoseismic data limited |
| San Diego Trough Fault | right-lateral strike-slip | 30 km | M7.7 | paleoseismic data limited |
| Elsinore Fault | right-lateral strike-slip | 65 km | M7.6 | 1910 (M6.0) |
| San Jacinto Fault | right-lateral strike-slip | 110 km | M7.5 | 1968 (M6.5 Borrego Mountain) |
Notable Historical Earthquakes Near San Diego
Recent Earthquakes (Last 30 Days)
Dataset at a glance — San Diego
Over the past 30 days, San Diego has recorded 13 earthquakes of magnitude 2.5 or greater in our tracker. By depth: 13 shallow (<70 km). 6 of the epicenters were offshore. Focal depths ranged from -0.7 km to 19.0 km. 12 of the 13 solutions have been reviewed by a USGS seismologist; the remaining 1 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2026-06-30 2026-06-30 12:08:08 UTC | 1.8ml | 17 km ESE of Julian, CA 33.011°, -116.444° | 9.5 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
On June 30, 2026 at 12:08 UTC, a magnitude 1.8 earthquake struck 17 km ESE of Julian, CA. It is the largest earthquake currently listed for San Diego over the past 30 days. See the M1.8 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
Common Questions About Earthquakes in San Diego
How often do earthquakes happen in San Diego?
San Diego experiences frequent earthquake activity. The area averages 123 earthquakes of magnitude 3.0 or greater per year, with 0.73 reaching magnitude 5.0 or higher. In the past 30 days, 13 earthquakes (M1.0+) have been recorded within 75 km of the city.
What was the biggest earthquake to hit San Diego?
The largest earthquake in or near San Diego since records began was the magnitude 7.3 Landers earthquake in 1992, which struck approximately 178 km north of the city.
What is the earthquake risk in San Diego?
Earthquakes cannot be predicted with precision. However, the U.S. Geological Survey estimates there is approximately a 75% probability of a magnitude 6.7 or greater earthquake within 100 km of San Diego in the next 30 years. The most likely source is the Rose Canyon Fault, which has a maximum credible magnitude of 7.2.
What fault lines are near San Diego?
The Rose Canyon Fault runs approximately 5 km from San Diego and is the most significant local seismic threat, with a maximum credible magnitude of 7.2. Other nearby faults include the Coronado Bank Fault (25 km), the San Diego Trough Fault (30 km), the Elsinore Fault (65 km).
Was there an earthquake in San Diego today?
No earthquakes of magnitude 2.5 or greater have been recorded within 75 km of San Diego 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 12:12 PM UTC