Earthquakes Near Los Angeles Today
Live answer from USGS data — every earthquake within 150 km (93 mi) of Los Angeles, California.
Checking live USGS data near Los Angeles…
Why Los Angeles gets earthquakes
Los Angeles sits in one of the most heavily faulted urban areas in the United States. The San Andreas fault passes about 35 miles northeast of downtown, but the quakes Angelenos actually feel most often come from a web of smaller faults directly under the city — the Newport–Inglewood fault, the Hollywood and Santa Monica faults, and the Puente Hills blind thrust that runs beneath downtown itself.
The 1994 Northridge earthquake (M6.7) remains the costliest quake in modern U.S. history, collapsing freeways and killing 57 people, and the 1971 San Fernando quake (M6.6) reshaped California building codes. Seismologists consider a major event on the southern San Andreas overdue, which is why even small local quakes near LA get so much attention.
Los Angeles earthquake FAQ
▸Did Los Angeles just have an earthquake?
The live panel at the top of this page checks the USGS catalog for every earthquake within 150 km of Los Angeles and answers in one line. Keep in mind USGS data lags real shaking by roughly 2–3 minutes in California and up to ~8 minutes in other regions — if you felt something seconds ago, refresh shortly.
▸What faults cause earthquakes near Los Angeles?
Most small quakes felt in Los Angeles come from local faults like the Newport–Inglewood fault, the Puente Hills blind thrust under downtown, and the Hollywood and Santa Monica faults. The San Andreas fault, capable of M7.8+, runs about 35 miles northeast of the city.
▸What magnitude earthquake can you feel in Los Angeles, CA?
Close to the epicenter, people typically begin to feel earthquakes around magnitude 2.5–3.0. An M4+ is felt across a wide area and rattles objects; M5+ can damage buildings near the epicenter. Shallow quakes feel stronger than deep ones of the same magnitude, and soft soils amplify shaking.
▸What should I do if I feel an earthquake in Los Angeles?
Drop, Cover, and Hold On — get low, take cover under sturdy furniture, and hold on until shaking stops. Afterward, check for hazards like gas leaks, and expect possible aftershocks. If you're in a coastal area and the shaking is strong or lasts a long time, move inland or to high ground. Official guidance: ready.gov/earthquakes.