On the afternoon of July 8, 2021, at least several dozen earthquakes struck Little Antelope Valley, which is in Inyo National Forest, approximately 20 miles southwest of Smith Valley, Nevada. Take a look at noteworthy temblors in our state’s recorded history by viewing this California earthquake history timeline.

Many notable shakers-moderate or major earthquakes in California-have made history and are still remembered and talked about today.

Jump to the most Recent Earthquakes in California Timeline of historical Earthquakes in CaliforniaĪlthough most of California's quakes are small in magnitude and cause little or no damage, California experiences more than 100 per day! Although the magnitude and epicenter are unclear, by comparing the descriptions with more recent events, the quake may have been similar in strength to the 1933 Long Beach or 1987 Whittier Narrows earthquake. Some described the shaking in expedition diaries as violent, occurring over the next several days, suggesting aftershocks. Members of the expedition led by Gaspar de Portolá were camped along the Santa Ana River when they felt a strong earthquake.īased on descriptions of the quake, it was likely a moderate or strong earthquake.

Home > Earthquake Risk > List of Notable and Major California Earthquakes List of Notable and Major California Earthquakes California's Earthquake HistoryĪlthough earlier earthquakes have been documented-such as significant movement on the southern San Andreas fault all the way back to the 1600s-the earliest reported earthquake in California was on July 28, 1769, noted by members of a Spanish expedition to chart a land route from San Diego to Monterey.

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