Live seismic activity in San Francisco — updated every 60 seconds from USGS data. San Francisco and the Bay Area sit between the San Andreas and Hayward faults, the sources of the 1906 and 1989 earthquakes.
See real‑time seismic activity in San Francisco. This page shows all earthquakes from the last 24 hours, updated every 60 seconds from USGS.
San Francisco and the Bay Area sit between the San Andreas and Hayward faults. A USGS-led study in 2014 estimated a 72% chance of at least one M6.7+ earthquake in the Bay Area within 30 years. The Hayward Fault last ruptured in 1868 and runs through densely populated East Bay cities. Major faults include the San Andreas Fault, Hayward Fault, Calaveras Fault, and Rodgers Creek Fault. Notable quakes include the 1906 San Francisco earthquake (M7.9), the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake (M6.9) and the 1868 Hayward earthquake (M6.8). The seismic risk is very high. Tectonically, San Francisco lies on the boundary where the Pacific Plate slides past the North American Plate. This page provides real‑time USGS data and historical context for San Francisco.
See earthquakes today in San Francisco with real‑time USGS data. Filter by magnitude, depth, and find earthquakes near me in San Francisco. Updated every 60 seconds.
The region is defined by San Andreas Fault, Hayward Fault, Calaveras Fault, Rodgers Creek Fault, and the risk level is classified as Very High. With a population of 7.7 million, understanding local seismic hazards is crucial.
San Francisco lies on Pacific Plate sliding past North American Plate. The movement of these plates builds up stress, which is released as earthquakes. In subduction zones, one plate dives beneath another, generating some of the largest quakes on Earth. In some regions, strike‑slip faults produce frequent moderate earthquakes.
Use the live map above – it shows all earthquakes from the last 24 hours, updated every 60 seconds from USGS. Click any dot for details.
The strongest recorded earthquake in San Francisco was the 1906 San Francisco earthquake (M7.9). 1906 San Francisco (M7.9)
San Francisco experiences approximately 500-1,500 earthquakes per year, with 50-200 felt (M3.0+) and 5-10 potentially damaging events (M5.0+) annually, according to USGS historical data.
The most recent major earthquake in San Francisco was the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake (M6.9). 1989 Loma Prieta (M6.9)
Yes. San Francisco is crossed by San Andreas Fault, Hayward Fault, Calaveras Fault, Rodgers Creek Fault, making it prone to seismic activity. The seismic risk level is classified as Very High.
Drop, cover, and hold on. Stay away from windows, and if outdoors, move to an open area. After the shaking stops, check for injuries and be ready for aftershocks. Prepare an emergency kit with water, food, first aid, and a flashlight.
Data sources: USGS real‑time feed, USGS historical archive, and Wikipedia. Page refreshes live earthquake data every 60 seconds.