Earthquakes in San Jose, California
Last earthquake: 1 day ago · 37 in past 30 days · Largest: M2.4 · Population 1.0M
Last updated: July 5, 2026 at 03:50 AM UTC · Data: USGS Earthquake Hazards Program
No significant earthquakes recorded near San Jose recently. No M2.5+ events within 50 km in the past 30 days.
Quick Facts — Earthquakes in San Jose
- Population
- 1.0M
- Seismic activity level
- very high
- Nearest major fault
- Calaveras Fault (5 km)
- Largest recorded nearby
- M6.9 (1989 Loma Prieta earthquake)
- 30-year probability M6.7+
- 72% (UCERF3)
- Earthquakes past 30 days
- 37
- 2026 total (M1.0+)
- 499
The San Jose area averages about 7 magnitude 4.0+ earthquakes per year and has recorded 37 earthquakes (M1.0+) within 50 km in the past 30 days. The largest event in the past 30 days was a magnitude 2.4 event 2 km NNE of Hayward, CA.
San Jose sits in the very high category for U.S. seismic activity. The largest earthquake in or near San Jose since records began was the magnitude 6.9 Loma Prieta earthquake in 1989, which struck approximately 25 km south of the city.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey's UCERF3 model, there is approximately a 72% probability of a magnitude 6.7 or greater earthquake within 100 km of San Jose in the next 30 years, and a 51% probability of a magnitude 7.0 or greater event. The largest credible earthquake predicted for the San Jose area is a magnitude 7.0 event on the Calaveras Fault, which lies 5 km from downtown San Jose. Source: UCERF3 (Field et al. 2015), Table 7 — SF Bay region; Calaveras Fault adjacent
San Jose 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 Calaveras Fault, secondary fault systems include the Hayward Fault and San Andreas Fault (Santa Cruz Mountains). View all earthquakes in California.
2026 Activity vs Historical Average
Earthquake Map — San Jose Area
Fault Lines Near San Jose
| Fault Name | Type | Distance | Max Credible Mag | Last Major Rupture |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calaveras Fault | right-lateral strike-slip | 5 km | M7.0 | 1984 (M6.2 Morgan Hill) |
| Hayward Fault | right-lateral strike-slip | 25 km | M7.0 | 1868 (M6.8) |
| San Andreas Fault (Santa Cruz Mountains) | right-lateral strike-slip | 25 km | M7.9 | 1989 (M6.9 Loma Prieta) |
| San Gregorio Fault | right-lateral strike-slip | 50 km | M7.4 | paleoseismic data limited |
Recent Earthquakes (Last 30 Days)
Dataset at a glance — San Jose
Over the past 30 days, San Jose has recorded 37 earthquakes of magnitude 2.5 or greater in our tracker. By depth: 37 shallow (<70 km). 16 of the epicenters were offshore. 6 events produced at least one felt report, totalling 65 citizen submissions to the USGS Did You Feel It? system. Focal depths ranged from 0.8 km to 12.2 km. 27 of the 37 solutions have been reviewed by a USGS seismologist; the remaining 10 are automatic and may be refined.
Leading the list is a magnitude 2.4 event near 2 km NNE of Hayward, CA at 4.9 km depth, which drew 42 felt reports from the public. The second-ranked event, at magnitude 2.4 near 12 km WNW of Bonny Doon, CA, trails by 0.0 magnitude units — a narrow gap, indicating two comparably energetic events in the current window. Rounding out the top three is a magnitude 2.3 earthquake near 16 km N of Morgan Hill, CA.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2 days ago 2026-07-02 14:08:24 UTC | 2.4md | 2 km NNE of Hayward, CA 37.659°, -122.067° | 4.9 km | 42 | - | - | Auto | USGS → |
On July 2, 2026 at 14:08 UTC, a magnitude 2.4 earthquake struck 2 km NNE of Hayward, CA. Of every earthquake currently listed for San Jose, this one generated the most felt reports from the public. It is the largest earthquake currently listed for San Jose over the past 30 days. 42 people reported feeling the earthquake via the USGS Did You Feel It? system. At a depth of just 4.9 km, this was a very shallow event, close enough to the surface that modest magnitudes can produce significant local shaking. The epicenter is at 37.659°, -122.067°. The automatic solution is preliminary and may be refined as additional station data arrives. See the M2.4 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2026-06-18 2026-06-18 22:54:36 UTC | 2.1md | 4 km SE of San Ramon, CA 37.759°, -121.944° | 9.0 km | 2 | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
On June 18, 2026, San Jose registered a magnitude 2.1 earthquake 4 km SE of San Ramon, CA at 22:54 UTC. It ranks as the fourth largest event in the current dataset. A small number of nearby observers (2) submitted felt reports to the USGS. This was a shallow crustal earthquake, focused at 9.0 km depth. The event was offshore — common for earthquakes along subduction zones and transform plate boundaries. The epicenter is at 37.759°, -121.944°. See the M2.1 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2026-06-08 2026-06-08 09:24:51 UTC | 2.4md | 12 km WNW of Bonny Doon, CA 37.081°, -122.272° | 12.2 km | 14 | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
A magnitude 2.4 earthquake was recorded 12 km WNW of Bonny Doon, CA on June 8, 2026 at 09:24 UTC. Nearby residents submitted 14 felt reports to the USGS DYFI platform. It ranks as the second largest event in the current dataset. At a depth of 12.2 km, the event was shallow crustal. Geolocation places the event at 37.081°N, -122.272°E. The solution has been reviewed by a USGS seismologist and is considered finalized. See the M2.4 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2026-06-08 2026-06-08 02:43:37 UTC | 2.3md | 16 km N of Morgan Hill, CA 37.278°, -121.634° | 5.8 km | 1 | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
Seismographs logged a magnitude 2.3 earthquake 16 km N of Morgan Hill, CA with origin time 02:43 UTC on June 8, 2026. It ranks as the third largest event in the current dataset. A small number of nearby observers (1) submitted felt reports to the USGS. The event originated approximately 5.8 km below the surface, classifying it as shallow crustal. The event was offshore — common for earthquakes along subduction zones and transform plate boundaries. Coordinates: 37.278°, -121.634°. See the M2.3 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2026-06-07 2026-06-07 20:27:03 UTC | 2.1md | 4 km ESE of Union City, CA 37.580°, -121.978° | 8.1 km | 1 | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
At 20:27 UTC on June 7, 2026, a magnitude 2.1 tremor occurred 4 km ESE of Union City, CA. It ranks as the fifth largest event in the current dataset. A small number of nearby observers (1) submitted felt reports to the USGS. The hypocenter lay at 8.1 km, placing this in the shallow crustal category. Geolocation places the event at 37.580°N, -121.978°E. The solution has been reviewed by a USGS seismologist and is considered finalized. See the M2.1 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
Common Questions About Earthquakes in San Jose
How often do earthquakes happen in San Jose?
San Jose experiences frequent earthquake activity. The area averages 60 earthquakes of magnitude 3.0 or greater per year, with 0.8 reaching magnitude 5.0 or higher. In the past 30 days, 37 earthquakes (M1.0+) have been recorded within 50 km of the city.
What was the biggest earthquake to hit San Jose?
The largest earthquake in or near San Jose since records began was the magnitude 6.9 Loma Prieta earthquake in 1989, which struck approximately 25 km south of the city.
What is the earthquake risk in San Jose?
Earthquakes cannot be predicted with precision. However, the U.S. Geological Survey estimates there is approximately a 72% probability of a magnitude 6.7 or greater earthquake within 100 km of San Jose in the next 30 years. The most likely source is the Calaveras Fault, which has a maximum credible magnitude of 7.0.
What fault lines are near San Jose?
The Calaveras Fault runs approximately 5 km from San Jose and is the most significant local seismic threat, with a maximum credible magnitude of 7.0. Other nearby faults include the Hayward Fault (25 km), the San Andreas Fault (Santa Cruz Mountains) (25 km), the San Gregorio Fault (50 km).
Was there an earthquake in San Jose today?
No earthquakes of magnitude 2.5 or greater have been recorded within 50 km of San Jose in the past 30 days.
How do I prepare for an earthquake in San Jose?
If you feel shaking, immediately Drop, Cover, and Hold On. Drop to your hands and knees, take cover under a sturdy desk or table, and hold on until shaking stops. Stay away from windows and exterior walls. Given the proximity of the Calaveras Fault (max credible M7.0), residents should have an earthquake emergency kit prepared. See our earthquake safety guide and emergency planning resources.
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 5, 2026 at 03:50 AM UTC