Earthquakes in San Diego, California
Last earthquake: 1 day ago · 24 in past 30 days · Largest: M3.0 · Population 1.4M
Last updated: August 20, 2026 at 07:48 AM UTC · Data: USGS Earthquake Hazards Program
No significant earthquakes recorded near San Diego recently. Last M2.5+: 19 days ago.
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
- 24
- Last significant (M2.5+)
- 19 days ago
- 2026 total (M1.0+)
- 247
The San Diego area averages about 10 magnitude 4.0+ earthquakes per year and has recorded 24 earthquakes (M1.0+) within 75 km in the past 30 days. The largest event in the past 30 days was a magnitude 3.0 event 9 km W of Palomar Observatory, 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 24 earthquakes of magnitude 2.5 or greater in our tracker. The remaining 1 fell in the M2.5–M3.9 band. By depth: 24 shallow (<70 km). 9 of the epicenters were offshore. 3 events produced at least one felt report, totalling 363 citizen submissions to the USGS Did You Feel It? system. Focal depths ranged from -0.4 km to 22.3 km. All 24 solutions have been reviewed by a USGS seismologist.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 day ago 2026-08-19 00:20:09 UTC | 1.7ml | 4 km SW of Palomar Observatory, CA 33.327°, -116.889° | 11.1 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
Reports of a magnitude 1.7 earthquake 4 km SW of Palomar Observatory, CA came in on August 19, 2026 at 00:20 UTC. The event was offshore. See the M1.7 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
5 days ago 2026-08-15 03:58:11 UTC | 1.8ml | 6 km NNE of Lake Henshaw, CA 33.290°, -116.740° | 13.2 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
This magnitude 1.8 event was detected 6 km NNE of Lake Henshaw, CA on August 15, 2026, with origin time 03:58 UTC. See the M1.8 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2026-08-03 2026-08-03 10:08:33 UTC | 1.6ml | 14 km ESE of Pine Valley, CA 32.788°, -116.383° | 12.6 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
August 3, 2026 brought a magnitude 1.6 earthquake 14 km ESE of Pine Valley, CA, logged at 10:08 UTC. See the M1.6 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2026-08-02 2026-08-02 10:45:25 UTC | 2.1ml | 8 km WNW of Camp Pendleton South, CA 33.255°, -117.456° | 16.0 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
Seismographs logged a magnitude 2.1 earthquake 8 km WNW of Camp Pendleton South, CA with origin time 10:45 UTC on August 2, 2026. See the M2.1 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2026-08-01 2026-08-01 00:15:11 UTC | 1.9ml | 5 km SE of La Jolla, CA 32.811°, -117.236° | 13.1 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
The USGS recorded this magnitude 1.9 earthquake 5 km SE of La Jolla, CA at 00:15 UTC on August 1, 2026. The event was offshore. See the M1.9 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2026-07-31 2026-07-31 20:10:15 UTC | 3.0ml | 9 km W of Palomar Observatory, CA 33.353°, -116.956° | 14.4 km | 360 | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
On July 31, 2026 at 20:10 UTC, a magnitude 3.0 earthquake struck 9 km W of Palomar Observatory, CA. It is the largest earthquake currently listed for San Diego over the past 30 days. See the M3.0 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2026-07-30 2026-07-30 20:53:31 UTC | 1.7ml | 24 km NE of Primo Tapia, B.C., MX 32.344°, -116.708° | 11.1 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
A magnitude 1.7 seismic event took place 24 km NE of Primo Tapia, B.C., MX on July 30, 2026 at 20:53 UTC. The event was offshore. See the M1.7 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2026-07-28 2026-07-28 22:15:02 UTC | 2.5ml | 44 km WSW of Carlsbad, CA 32.999°, -117.785° | 9.8 km | 1 | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
A magnitude 2.5 earthquake was recorded 44 km WSW of Carlsbad, CA on July 28, 2026 at 22:15 UTC. See the M2.5 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2026-07-28 2026-07-28 16:33:23 UTC | 2.1ml | 31 km WSW of La Jolla, CA 32.731°, -117.578° | 17.3 km | 2 | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
At 16:33 UTC on July 28, 2026, a magnitude 2.1 tremor occurred 31 km WSW of La Jolla, CA. See the M2.1 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2026-07-23 2026-07-23 08:17:45 UTC | 2.1ml | 28 km WSW of Primo Tapia, B.C., MX 32.096°, -117.180° | 13.9 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
On July 23, 2026, San Diego registered a magnitude 2.1 earthquake 28 km WSW of Primo Tapia, B.C., MX at 08:17 UTC. See the M2.1 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, 24 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 near San Diego in the past 24 hours. The most recent M2.5+ event was 19 days ago.
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: August 20, 2026 at 07:48 AM UTC