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Which state has the most earthquakes that cause damage? Which state has the most earthquakes (not human-induced)?

California has more earthquakes that cause damage than any other state. Alaska and California have the most earthquakes (not human-induced).

Learn more: Earthquake Information by Region

Related Content

link
Damaged Monument Kathmandu, Nepal

Where can I find a list of yearly estimated deaths from earthquakes around the world?

Our Earthquake Lists, Maps, and Statistics website has annual totals for worldwide earthquakes and U.S. earthquakes from 1990 to the near-present. Estimated deaths from those earthquakes are listed at the bottom of the charts. The website also has M3+ earthquake counts by state from 2010 to 2015.

link

Where can I find a list of yearly estimated deaths from earthquakes around the world?

Our Earthquake Lists, Maps, and Statistics website has annual totals for worldwide earthquakes and U.S. earthquakes from 1990 to the near-present. Estimated deaths from those earthquakes are listed at the bottom of the charts. The website also has M3+ earthquake counts by state from 2010 to 2015.

Learn More
link

Which states have the smallest number of earthquakes? Is there any place in the world that doesn't have earthquakes?

Florida and North Dakota are the states with the fewest earthquakes. Antarctica has the least earthquakes of any continent, but small earthquakes can occur anywhere in the World. Our Earthquake Lists, Maps, and Statistics website has M3+ earthquake counts for each state from 2010 to 2015. Learn more: Earthquake Information by Region

link

Which states have the smallest number of earthquakes? Is there any place in the world that doesn't have earthquakes?

Florida and North Dakota are the states with the fewest earthquakes. Antarctica has the least earthquakes of any continent, but small earthquakes can occur anywhere in the World. Our Earthquake Lists, Maps, and Statistics website has M3+ earthquake counts for each state from 2010 to 2015. Learn more: Earthquake Information by Region

Learn More
link
Pacific Plate boundaries and relative motion

Where do earthquakes occur?

Earthquakes can strike any location at any time, but history shows they occur in the same general patterns year after year, principally in three large zones of the earth: The world's greatest earthquake belt, the circum-Pacific seismic belt, is found along the rim of the Pacific Ocean, where about 81 percent of our planet's largest earthquakes occur. It has earned the nickname "Ring of Fire". Why...

link

Where do earthquakes occur?

Earthquakes can strike any location at any time, but history shows they occur in the same general patterns year after year, principally in three large zones of the earth: The world's greatest earthquake belt, the circum-Pacific seismic belt, is found along the rim of the Pacific Ocean, where about 81 percent of our planet's largest earthquakes occur. It has earned the nickname "Ring of Fire". Why...

Learn More
link
Devastation of 1906 San Francisco Earthquake

Where can I find a list of the largest earthquakes in the United States? In the world?

The USGS Earthquake Lists, Maps, and Statistics website has statistics about earthquakes in the United States and the world, including a list of the world's 20 largest recorded earthquakes.

link

Where can I find a list of the largest earthquakes in the United States? In the world?

The USGS Earthquake Lists, Maps, and Statistics website has statistics about earthquakes in the United States and the world, including a list of the world's 20 largest recorded earthquakes.

Learn More
link
Damage from South Napa Earthquake

Where can I find a list of the largest earthquakes near my town?

Use our online earthquake catalog to search for past earthquakes in your region. Define your search area by drawing a rectangle on a map or by inputting data for a rectangle or circle. Go to our Earthquake Information by Region website for information about earthquakes in each state.

link

Where can I find a list of the largest earthquakes near my town?

Use our online earthquake catalog to search for past earthquakes in your region. Define your search area by drawing a rectangle on a map or by inputting data for a rectangle or circle. Go to our Earthquake Information by Region website for information about earthquakes in each state.

Learn More
link
Image: Damage from 2008 Great Sichuan Earthquake in China

Which country has the most earthquakes?

The answer to this question is not as straightforward as it may seem. In order to most accurately answer it, we will rephrase the question four different ways:For which country do we locate the most earthquakes? Japan. The whole country is in a very active seismic area, and they have the densest seismic network in the world, so they are able to record many earthquakes.Which country actually has...

link

Which country has the most earthquakes?

The answer to this question is not as straightforward as it may seem. In order to most accurately answer it, we will rephrase the question four different ways:For which country do we locate the most earthquakes? Japan. The whole country is in a very active seismic area, and they have the densest seismic network in the world, so they are able to record many earthquakes.Which country actually has...

Learn More
link
Image: Northridge, CA Earthquake Damage

Which state has the most earthquakes that cause damage? Which state has the most earthquakes (not human-induced)?

California has more earthquakes that cause damage than any other state. Alaska and California have the most earthquakes (not human-induced). Learn more: Earthquake Information by Region

link

Which state has the most earthquakes that cause damage? Which state has the most earthquakes (not human-induced)?

California has more earthquakes that cause damage than any other state. Alaska and California have the most earthquakes (not human-induced). Learn more: Earthquake Information by Region

Learn More
link
Earthquake Catalog Map Results Example

Where can I search an earthquake catalog for past events?

You might be able to find what you’re looking for using our collection of Earthquake Lists, so check that first. If that doesn’t work, use one of these Earthquake Catalog Search webpages: World-wide Earthquakes Catalog (M4.5+ worldwide, M2.5+ U.S.) Historic ANSS (Advanced National Seismic System) Composite Catalog (M4.5+ world-wide, all magnitudes U.S.)

link

Where can I search an earthquake catalog for past events?

You might be able to find what you’re looking for using our collection of Earthquake Lists, so check that first. If that doesn’t work, use one of these Earthquake Catalog Search webpages: World-wide Earthquakes Catalog (M4.5+ worldwide, M2.5+ U.S.) Historic ANSS (Advanced National Seismic System) Composite Catalog (M4.5+ world-wide, all magnitudes U.S.)

Learn More
Image shows a road split due to earthquake damage link
Image: Denali Fault: Alaska Pipeline
link
Image: Northridge, CA Earthquake Damage
link

Earthquake outlook for the San Francisco Bay region 2014–2043

Using information from recent earthquakes, improved mapping of active faults, and a new model for estimating earthquake probabilities, the 2014 Working Group on California Earthquake Probabilities updated the 30-year earthquake forecast for California. They concluded that there is a 72 percent probability (or likelihood) of at least one earthquake of magnitude 6.7 or greater striking somewhere in
Authors
Brad T. Aagaard, J. Luke Blair, John Boatwright, Susan H. Garcia, Ruth A. Harris, Andrew J. Michael, David P. Schwartz, Jeanne S. DiLeo
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Earthquake Hazards Program, Earthquake Science Center, San Francisco Bay and Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Estuary

UCERF3: A new earthquake forecast for California's complex fault system

With innovations, fresh data, and lessons learned from recent earthquakes, scientists have developed a new earthquake forecast model for California, a region under constant threat from potentially damaging events. The new model, referred to as the third Uniform California Earthquake Rupture Forecast, or "UCERF" (http://www.WGCEP.org/UCERF3), provides authoritative estimates of the magnitude, locat
Authors
Edward H. Field
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Earthquake Hazards Program, Geologic Hazards Science Center

PAGER--Rapid assessment of an earthquakes impact

PAGER (Prompt Assessment of Global Earthquakes for Response) is an automated system that produces content concerning the impact of significant earthquakes around the world, informing emergency responders, government and aid agencies, and the media of the scope of the potential disaster. PAGER rapidly assesses earthquake impacts by comparing the population exposed to each level of shaking intensity
Authors
D. J. Wald, K. Jaiswal, K. D. Marano, D. Bausch, M. Hearne
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Earthquake Hazards Program, Geologic Hazards Science Center

USGS ShakeCast

Automating, Simplifying, and Improving the Use of ShakeMap for Post-Earthquake Decisionmaking and Response. ShakeCast is a freely available, post-earthquake situational awareness application that automatically retrieves earthquake shaking data from ShakeMap, compares intensity measures against users facilities, and generates potential damage assessment notifications, facility damage maps, and o
Authors
David Wald, Kuo-Wan Lin

Earthquake hazards: A national threat

Earthquakes are one of the most costly natural hazards faced by the Nation, posing a significant risk to 75 million Americans in 39 States. The risks that earthquakes pose to society, including death, injury, and economic loss, can be greatly reduced by (1) better planning, construction, and mitigation practices before earthquakes happen, and (2) providing critical and timely information to improv
Authors

Rupture in south-central Alaska: The Denali Fault earthquake of 2002

No abstract available.
Authors
Gary S. Fuis, Lisa A. Wald, James W. Hendley, Peter H. Stauffer

ANSS-Advanced National Seismic System

No abstract available.
Authors
Harley M. Benz, John Filson, Walter Arabasz, Lind Gee, Lisa Wald

USGS National Seismic Hazard Maps

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) recently completed new probabilistic seismic hazard maps for the United States, including Alaska and Hawaii. These hazard maps form the basis of the probabilistic component of the design maps used in the 1997 edition of the NEHRP Recommended Provisions for Seismic Regulations for New Buildings and Other Structures, prepared by the Building Seismic Safety Council a
Authors
A. D. Frankel, C.S. Mueller, T.P. Barnhard, E. V. Leyendecker, R. L. Wesson, S. C. Harmsen, F. W. Klein, D. M. Perkins, N.C. Dickman, S.L. Hanson, M. G. Hopper
link

Assessing Critical Infrastructure Damage After Earthquakes

Early on the morning of August 24, 2014, Loren Turner was awoken by clattering window blinds, a moving bed, and the sound of water splashing out of...

Read Article
link

South Napa Earthquake – One Year Later

One year ago, the largest earthquake in over 25 years hit the San Francisco Bay Area, causing significant damage in California’s famous Napa Valley...

Read Article
link

The 1964 Great Alaska Earthquake and Tsunami


On March 27th, 1964, the second largest instrumentally recorded earthquake worldwide rocked southern Alaska for 4 to 5 minutes. In addition to the...
Read Article

Related Content

  • FAQ
    link
    Damaged Monument Kathmandu, Nepal

    Where can I find a list of yearly estimated deaths from earthquakes around the world?

    Our Earthquake Lists, Maps, and Statistics website has annual totals for worldwide earthquakes and U.S. earthquakes from 1990 to the near-present. Estimated deaths from those earthquakes are listed at the bottom of the charts. The website also has M3+ earthquake counts by state from 2010 to 2015.

    link

    Where can I find a list of yearly estimated deaths from earthquakes around the world?

    Our Earthquake Lists, Maps, and Statistics website has annual totals for worldwide earthquakes and U.S. earthquakes from 1990 to the near-present. Estimated deaths from those earthquakes are listed at the bottom of the charts. The website also has M3+ earthquake counts by state from 2010 to 2015.

    Learn More
    link

    Which states have the smallest number of earthquakes? Is there any place in the world that doesn't have earthquakes?

    Florida and North Dakota are the states with the fewest earthquakes. Antarctica has the least earthquakes of any continent, but small earthquakes can occur anywhere in the World. Our Earthquake Lists, Maps, and Statistics website has M3+ earthquake counts for each state from 2010 to 2015. Learn more: Earthquake Information by Region

    link

    Which states have the smallest number of earthquakes? Is there any place in the world that doesn't have earthquakes?

    Florida and North Dakota are the states with the fewest earthquakes. Antarctica has the least earthquakes of any continent, but small earthquakes can occur anywhere in the World. Our Earthquake Lists, Maps, and Statistics website has M3+ earthquake counts for each state from 2010 to 2015. Learn more: Earthquake Information by Region

    Learn More
    link
    Pacific Plate boundaries and relative motion

    Where do earthquakes occur?

    Earthquakes can strike any location at any time, but history shows they occur in the same general patterns year after year, principally in three large zones of the earth: The world's greatest earthquake belt, the circum-Pacific seismic belt, is found along the rim of the Pacific Ocean, where about 81 percent of our planet's largest earthquakes occur. It has earned the nickname "Ring of Fire". Why...

    link

    Where do earthquakes occur?

    Earthquakes can strike any location at any time, but history shows they occur in the same general patterns year after year, principally in three large zones of the earth: The world's greatest earthquake belt, the circum-Pacific seismic belt, is found along the rim of the Pacific Ocean, where about 81 percent of our planet's largest earthquakes occur. It has earned the nickname "Ring of Fire". Why...

    Learn More
    link
    Devastation of 1906 San Francisco Earthquake

    Where can I find a list of the largest earthquakes in the United States? In the world?

    The USGS Earthquake Lists, Maps, and Statistics website has statistics about earthquakes in the United States and the world, including a list of the world's 20 largest recorded earthquakes.

    link

    Where can I find a list of the largest earthquakes in the United States? In the world?

    The USGS Earthquake Lists, Maps, and Statistics website has statistics about earthquakes in the United States and the world, including a list of the world's 20 largest recorded earthquakes.

    Learn More
    link
    Damage from South Napa Earthquake

    Where can I find a list of the largest earthquakes near my town?

    Use our online earthquake catalog to search for past earthquakes in your region. Define your search area by drawing a rectangle on a map or by inputting data for a rectangle or circle. Go to our Earthquake Information by Region website for information about earthquakes in each state.

    link

    Where can I find a list of the largest earthquakes near my town?

    Use our online earthquake catalog to search for past earthquakes in your region. Define your search area by drawing a rectangle on a map or by inputting data for a rectangle or circle. Go to our Earthquake Information by Region website for information about earthquakes in each state.

    Learn More
    link
    Image: Damage from 2008 Great Sichuan Earthquake in China

    Which country has the most earthquakes?

    The answer to this question is not as straightforward as it may seem. In order to most accurately answer it, we will rephrase the question four different ways:For which country do we locate the most earthquakes? Japan. The whole country is in a very active seismic area, and they have the densest seismic network in the world, so they are able to record many earthquakes.Which country actually has...

    link

    Which country has the most earthquakes?

    The answer to this question is not as straightforward as it may seem. In order to most accurately answer it, we will rephrase the question four different ways:For which country do we locate the most earthquakes? Japan. The whole country is in a very active seismic area, and they have the densest seismic network in the world, so they are able to record many earthquakes.Which country actually has...

    Learn More
    link
    Image: Northridge, CA Earthquake Damage

    Which state has the most earthquakes that cause damage? Which state has the most earthquakes (not human-induced)?

    California has more earthquakes that cause damage than any other state. Alaska and California have the most earthquakes (not human-induced). Learn more: Earthquake Information by Region

    link

    Which state has the most earthquakes that cause damage? Which state has the most earthquakes (not human-induced)?

    California has more earthquakes that cause damage than any other state. Alaska and California have the most earthquakes (not human-induced). Learn more: Earthquake Information by Region

    Learn More
    link
    Earthquake Catalog Map Results Example

    Where can I search an earthquake catalog for past events?

    You might be able to find what you’re looking for using our collection of Earthquake Lists, so check that first. If that doesn’t work, use one of these Earthquake Catalog Search webpages: World-wide Earthquakes Catalog (M4.5+ worldwide, M2.5+ U.S.) Historic ANSS (Advanced National Seismic System) Composite Catalog (M4.5+ world-wide, all magnitudes U.S.)

    link

    Where can I search an earthquake catalog for past events?

    You might be able to find what you’re looking for using our collection of Earthquake Lists, so check that first. If that doesn’t work, use one of these Earthquake Catalog Search webpages: World-wide Earthquakes Catalog (M4.5+ worldwide, M2.5+ U.S.) Historic ANSS (Advanced National Seismic System) Composite Catalog (M4.5+ world-wide, all magnitudes U.S.)

    Learn More
  • Multimedia
    Image shows a road split due to earthquake damage link
    Image: Denali Fault: Alaska Pipeline
    link
    Image: Northridge, CA Earthquake Damage
    link
  • Publications

    Earthquake outlook for the San Francisco Bay region 2014–2043

    Using information from recent earthquakes, improved mapping of active faults, and a new model for estimating earthquake probabilities, the 2014 Working Group on California Earthquake Probabilities updated the 30-year earthquake forecast for California. They concluded that there is a 72 percent probability (or likelihood) of at least one earthquake of magnitude 6.7 or greater striking somewhere in
    Authors
    Brad T. Aagaard, J. Luke Blair, John Boatwright, Susan H. Garcia, Ruth A. Harris, Andrew J. Michael, David P. Schwartz, Jeanne S. DiLeo
    By
    Natural Hazards Mission Area, Earthquake Hazards Program, Earthquake Science Center, San Francisco Bay and Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Estuary

    UCERF3: A new earthquake forecast for California's complex fault system

    With innovations, fresh data, and lessons learned from recent earthquakes, scientists have developed a new earthquake forecast model for California, a region under constant threat from potentially damaging events. The new model, referred to as the third Uniform California Earthquake Rupture Forecast, or "UCERF" (http://www.WGCEP.org/UCERF3), provides authoritative estimates of the magnitude, locat
    Authors
    Edward H. Field
    By
    Natural Hazards Mission Area, Earthquake Hazards Program, Geologic Hazards Science Center

    PAGER--Rapid assessment of an earthquakes impact

    PAGER (Prompt Assessment of Global Earthquakes for Response) is an automated system that produces content concerning the impact of significant earthquakes around the world, informing emergency responders, government and aid agencies, and the media of the scope of the potential disaster. PAGER rapidly assesses earthquake impacts by comparing the population exposed to each level of shaking intensity
    Authors
    D. J. Wald, K. Jaiswal, K. D. Marano, D. Bausch, M. Hearne
    By
    Natural Hazards Mission Area, Earthquake Hazards Program, Geologic Hazards Science Center

    USGS ShakeCast

    Automating, Simplifying, and Improving the Use of ShakeMap for Post-Earthquake Decisionmaking and Response. ShakeCast is a freely available, post-earthquake situational awareness application that automatically retrieves earthquake shaking data from ShakeMap, compares intensity measures against users facilities, and generates potential damage assessment notifications, facility damage maps, and o
    Authors
    David Wald, Kuo-Wan Lin

    Earthquake hazards: A national threat

    Earthquakes are one of the most costly natural hazards faced by the Nation, posing a significant risk to 75 million Americans in 39 States. The risks that earthquakes pose to society, including death, injury, and economic loss, can be greatly reduced by (1) better planning, construction, and mitigation practices before earthquakes happen, and (2) providing critical and timely information to improv
    Authors

    Rupture in south-central Alaska: The Denali Fault earthquake of 2002

    No abstract available.
    Authors
    Gary S. Fuis, Lisa A. Wald, James W. Hendley, Peter H. Stauffer

    ANSS-Advanced National Seismic System

    No abstract available.
    Authors
    Harley M. Benz, John Filson, Walter Arabasz, Lind Gee, Lisa Wald

    USGS National Seismic Hazard Maps

    The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) recently completed new probabilistic seismic hazard maps for the United States, including Alaska and Hawaii. These hazard maps form the basis of the probabilistic component of the design maps used in the 1997 edition of the NEHRP Recommended Provisions for Seismic Regulations for New Buildings and Other Structures, prepared by the Building Seismic Safety Council a
    Authors
    A. D. Frankel, C.S. Mueller, T.P. Barnhard, E. V. Leyendecker, R. L. Wesson, S. C. Harmsen, F. W. Klein, D. M. Perkins, N.C. Dickman, S.L. Hanson, M. G. Hopper
  • News
    link

    Assessing Critical Infrastructure Damage After Earthquakes

    Early on the morning of August 24, 2014, Loren Turner was awoken by clattering window blinds, a moving bed, and the sound of water splashing out of...

    Read Article
    link

    South Napa Earthquake – One Year Later

    One year ago, the largest earthquake in over 25 years hit the San Francisco Bay Area, causing significant damage in California’s famous Napa Valley...

    Read Article
    link

    The 1964 Great Alaska Earthquake and Tsunami


    On March 27th, 1964, the second largest instrumentally recorded earthquake worldwide rocked southern Alaska for 4 to 5 minutes. In addition to the...
    Read Article