What are the biggest earthquakes in Los Angeles history?
The strongest earthquake within 100 km (62 mi) of Los Angeles since 1900 was the M6.7 Northridge, California, earthquake on January 17, 1994, 32 km (20 mi) from downtown. USGS lists 13 earthquakes of magnitude 5.5 or greater there in that time.
Strongest since 1900 · M5.5+ within 100 km
From the USGS earthquake catalog, strongest first. Distances are from downtown.
- M6.7Northridge, California, earthquakeJan 17, 1994 · 32 km (20 mi) awayUSGS
- M6.61971 San Fernando Earthquake, CaliforniaFeb 9, 1971 · 42 km (26 mi) awayUSGS
- M6.41933 Long Beach, California earthquakeMar 10, 1933 · 52 km (32 mi) awayUSGS
- M6.23 km SE of San Bernardino, CaliforniaJul 22, 1923 · 91 km (56 mi) awayUSGS
- M6.01910 Lake Elsinore, California earthquakeMay 15, 1910 · 87 km (54 mi) awayUSGS
- M5.91987 Whittier Narrows, California earthquakeOct 1, 1987 · 15 km (9 mi) awayUSGS
- M5.91km ENE of Granada Hills, CaliforniaJan 17, 1994 · 34 km (21 mi) awayUSGS
- M5.81991 Sierra Madre, California earthquakeJun 28, 1991 · 33 km (21 mi) awayUSGS
- M5.810km SSW of Agua Dulce, CAFeb 9, 1971 · 42 km (26 mi) awayUSGS
- M5.810km SSW of Agua Dulce, CAFeb 9, 1971 · 42 km (26 mi) awayUSGS
- M5.67km NNE of Simi Valley, CaliforniaJan 17, 1994 · 52 km (32 mi) awayUSGS
- M5.51990 Upland, California earthquakeFeb 28, 1990 · 51 km (32 mi) awayUSGS
- M5.5Southwest of Tejon Pass, CaliforniaOct 22, 1916 · 100 km (62 mi) awayUSGS
Nearest active faults
Faults with movement in the last 1.6 million years, from the USGS Quaternary Fault and Fold Database. Slip rate is how fast the two sides move past each other on average.
- Upper Elysian Park fault2 km (1 mi) from downtown
- Hollywood fault7 km (4 mi) from downtown · slip rate between 1.0 and 5.0 mm/yr
- Puente Hills blind thrust system7 km (5 mi) from downtown · slip rate between 0.2 and 1.0 mm/yr
- Raymond fault8 km (5 mi) from downtown · slip rate between 1.0 and 5.0 mm/yr
- Lower Elysian Park thrust8 km (5 mi) from downtown
- Verdugo fault10 km (6 mi) from downtown · slip rate between 0.2 and 1.0 mm/yr
Can the next one be predicted?
No. USGS says no scientist has ever predicted a major earthquake, and none expects to; it publishes long-term probabilities instead. See USGS: Can you predict earthquakes? and the USGS earthquake hazard maps.