California earthquake predictions usgs. No one can predict the exact time or place of any earthquake including aftershocks or events in swarms the usgs said in a statement about the ongoing earthquake swarm in california. Geological survey however the likelihood of a magnitude 8 or. Usgs scientists can only calculate the probability that a significant earthquake will occur in a specific area within a certain number of yearsan earthquake prediction must define 3 elements.
California is earthquake country and the safety and viability of the built relies on accurate earthquake hazard assessments. Californias chances of being struck by a powerful earthquake dubbed the big one have been elevated following a succession of small quakes us geological survey usgs data suggests. These data directly contribute to federal and state earthquake hazard assessments most notably the usgs national seismic hazard maps and the uniform california earthquake rupture forecast.
If the application does not load try our legacy latest earthquakes application. Geological survey most recent forecast known as ucerf3 uniform california earthquake rupture forecast 3 released in november 2013 estimated that an earthquake of magnitude 67 m or greater ie. Javascript must be enabled to view our earthquake maps.
Equal to or greater than the 1994 northridge earthquake occurs about once every 67 years statewide. To access usgs earthquake information without using javascript use our magnitude 25 earthquakes past day atom feed or our other earthquake feeds.