California's Largest Recorded Earthquakes Since 1800 Ranked by Magnitude
A Seismic History
California has experienced a significant number of earthquakes throughout its history, with many of them causing significant damage and loss of life. This table lists the largest earthquakes recorded in California since 1800, ranked by magnitude.
Table of California's Significant Earthquakes
The table below includes earthquakes with a magnitude of 6.5 or greater, or those that caused loss of life or significant property damage.
| Rank | Date | Location | Magnitude | Deaths | Property Damage (Estimated) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | January 25, 1800 | San Gabriel Fault | 7.9 | Unknown | Unknown |
| 2 | October 8, 1857 | San Andreas Fault (Fort Tejon) | 7.9 | 1 | Unknown |
| 3 | April 18, 1906 | San Andreas Fault (San Francisco Earthquake) | 7.8 | 3,000+ | $500 million |
| 4 | July 21, 1952 | Kern County | 7.5 | 12 | $60 million |
| 5 | March 8, 1989 | Loma Prieta | 6.9 | 63 | $10 billion |
Comments