Earthquakes Near Fresno Today
Live answer from USGS data — every earthquake within 150 km (93 mi) of Fresno, California.
Checking live USGS data near Fresno…
Why Fresno gets earthquakes
Fresno sits in the middle of the San Joaquin Valley, farther from major faults than most California cities, so damaging local quakes are rare. The quakes Fresnans feel usually come from the Coast Ranges to the west — like the 1983 Coalinga earthquake (M6.7), which damaged buildings across the region.
The creeping and Parkfield sections of the San Andreas fault lie about 60–80 miles southwest, and the Sierra Nevada frontal faults to the east produce occasional activity. Fresno's flat basin sediments can make distant quakes feel like long, rolling motion.
Fresno earthquake FAQ
▸Did Fresno just have an earthquake?
The live panel at the top of this page checks the USGS catalog for every earthquake within 150 km of Fresno 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 Fresno?
Fresno itself has few active faults, but it feels quakes from the Coast Ranges to the west (source of the 1983 Coalinga M6.7), the Parkfield section of the San Andreas about 70 miles southwest, and Sierra Nevada frontal faults to the east.
▸What magnitude earthquake can you feel in Fresno, 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 Fresno?
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.