Earthquakes Near Eureka Today
Live answer from USGS data — every earthquake within 150 km (93 mi) of Eureka, California.
Checking live USGS data near Eureka…
Why Eureka gets earthquakes
Eureka and Humboldt County experience more earthquakes than anywhere else in California. The city sits near the Mendocino Triple Junction, where the Pacific, North American, and Gorda plates meet — and at the southern end of the Cascadia Subduction Zone, capable of M9 megathrust quakes.
Recent history is busy: the 1980 Gorda plate quake (M7.3), the 1992 Cape Mendocino sequence (M7.2 plus two M6.5+ aftershocks in one day), a damaging M6.4 near Ferndale in December 2022, and an offshore M7.0 in December 2024 that triggered tsunami warnings along the North Coast.
Eureka earthquake FAQ
▸Did Eureka just have an earthquake?
The live panel at the top of this page checks the USGS catalog for every earthquake within 150 km of Eureka 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 Eureka?
Eureka sits near the Mendocino Triple Junction, where three tectonic plates meet. Quakes come from the Gorda plate offshore, the Mendocino fault, the southern Cascadia Subduction Zone, and onshore faults like Little Salmon — making this California's most seismically active region.
▸What magnitude earthquake can you feel in Eureka, 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 Eureka?
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.