Earthquakes in San Jose, California
Last earthquake: 1 day ago · 31 in past 30 days · Largest: M2.8 · Population 1.0M
Last updated: May 20, 2026 at 11:43 PM UTC · Data: USGS Earthquake Hazards Program
No significant earthquakes recorded near San Jose recently. Last M2.5+: 18 days ago.
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
- 31
- Last significant (M2.5+)
- 18 days ago
- 2026 total (M1.0+)
- 444
The San Jose area averages about 7 magnitude 4.0+ earthquakes per year and has recorded 31 earthquakes (M1.0+) within 50 km in the past 30 days. The largest event in the past 30 days was a magnitude 2.8 event 14 km N of Morgan Hill, 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 31 earthquakes of magnitude 2.5 or greater in our tracker. The remaining 3 fell in the M2.5–M3.9 band. By depth: 31 shallow (<70 km). 17 of the epicenters were offshore. 4 events produced at least one felt report, totalling 69 citizen submissions to the USGS Did You Feel It? system. Focal depths ranged from 1.4 km to 13.7 km. 20 of the 31 solutions have been reviewed by a USGS seismologist; the remaining 11 are automatic and may be refined.
Leading the list is a magnitude 2.8 event near 14 km N of Morgan Hill, CA at 6.8 km depth, which drew 17 felt reports from the public. The second-ranked event, at magnitude 2.6 near 16 km E of Seven Trees, CA, trails by 0.1 magnitude units — a narrow gap, indicating two comparably energetic events in the current window. Rounding out the top three is a magnitude 2.5 earthquake near 20 km SE of Livermore, 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 2026-05-18 15:42:17 UTC | 2.3md | 2 km N of Sunol, CA 37.623°, -121.890° | 8.9 km | - | - | - | Auto | USGS → |
On May 18, 2026, San Jose registered a magnitude 2.3 earthquake 2 km N of Sunol, CA at 15:42 UTC. It ranks as the fourth largest event in the current dataset. This was a shallow crustal earthquake, focused at 8.9 km depth. The event was offshore — common for earthquakes along subduction zones and transform plate boundaries. The epicenter is at 37.623°, -121.890°. The automatic solution is preliminary and may be refined as additional station data arrives. See the M2.3 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2026-05-02 2026-05-02 23:27:42 UTC | 2.5md | 20 km SE of Livermore, CA 37.574°, -121.591° | 3.0 km | 2 | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
Seismographs logged a magnitude 2.5 earthquake 20 km SE of Livermore, CA with origin time 23:27 UTC on May 2, 2026. At a depth of just 3.0 km, this was a very shallow event, close enough to the surface that modest magnitudes can produce significant local shaking. It ranks as the third largest event in the current dataset. A small number of nearby observers (2) submitted felt reports to the USGS. The event was offshore — common for earthquakes along subduction zones and transform plate boundaries. Coordinates: 37.574°, -121.591°. See the M2.5 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2026-04-30 2026-04-30 22:43:37 UTC | 2.8md | 14 km N of Morgan Hill, CA 37.258°, -121.630° | 6.8 km | 17 | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
On April 30, 2026 at 22:43 UTC, a magnitude 2.8 earthquake struck 14 km N of Morgan Hill, CA. It is the largest earthquake currently listed for San Jose over the past 30 days. 17 people reported feeling the earthquake via the USGS Did You Feel It? system. The hypocenter lay at 6.8 km, placing this in the shallow crustal category. The event was offshore — common for earthquakes along subduction zones and transform plate boundaries. The epicenter is at 37.258°, -121.630°. The solution has been reviewed by a USGS seismologist and is considered finalized. See the M2.8 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2026-04-26 2026-04-26 10:27:11 UTC | 2.6md | 16 km E of Seven Trees, CA 37.288°, -121.660° | 7.6 km | 49 | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
A magnitude 2.6 earthquake was recorded 16 km E of Seven Trees, CA on April 26, 2026 at 10:27 UTC. Of every earthquake currently listed for San Jose, this one generated the most felt reports from the public. Nearby residents submitted 49 felt reports to the USGS DYFI platform. It ranks as the second largest event in the current dataset. At a depth of 7.6 km, the event was shallow crustal. The event was offshore — common for earthquakes along subduction zones and transform plate boundaries. Geolocation places the event at 37.288°N, -121.660°E. The solution has been reviewed by a USGS seismologist and is considered finalized. See the M2.6 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, 31 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 near San Jose in the past 24 hours. The most recent M2.5+ event was 18 days ago.
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: 2026-05-20T23:43:52.021Z · Last reviewed: May 20, 2026