• More than 130 quakes after M4.6 NE of Gonzales, California

    Following a M4.6 earthquake that hit just NE of Gonzales, California on November 13, 2017, the USGS has registered more than 130 aftershocks within the 5 km (3.1 miles) of the epicenter. Although most of those aftershocks weren't felt by the Central Coast, the…

  • How large-scale water cycles influence quake activity in California

    A new study shows how seasonal changes in large-scale water cycles in California influence small-scale quake activity. It confirms that the annual hydrological loading cycle modulates microseismicity in California. The results of the study reveal how snow, rain,…

  • Earthquake swarm under Brawley, Southern California

    A swarm of shallow earthquakes is being registered under the city of Brawley, California since December 31, 2016. Mayor Sam Couchman said the quakes have placed the city of 26 000 on edge. By 15:25 UTC on January 2, 2017, more than 260 small to moderate earthquakes…

  • Strong and shallow M6.5 earthquake hits off the coast of Northern California

    A strong and shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.5 hit off the coast of Northern California at 14:49 UTC on December 8, 2016. The agency is reporting a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles). The epicenter was located 148.5 km (92.3 miles) W of Capetown (population…

  • Series of small tremors rattle Ridgemark, California

    The US Geological Survey reported an M3.5 earthquake, about 11 km (6.8 miles) south-southeast of Ridgemark, central California, on October 18, 2016, 22:09 UTC. The quake that occurred at a depth of 7.7 km (4.7 miles) is the latest in the series of small tremors…

  • New fault line discovered near San Andreas in southern California

    Scientists from Scripps Institution of Oceanography and the Nevada Seismological Laboratory have discovered a new, potentially significant fault in southern California. Now named the Salton trough fault (STF), the newly discovered fault runs parallel to the San…

  • Increased risk of a major earthquake on San Andreas fault, California

    Although the swarm of over 300 earthquakes under the Salton Sea in southern California seems to be over, seismologists are warning there still remains an increased risk of a big earthquake on the San Andreas fault. Experts said it’s important to understand…