Earthquakes
Los Angeles, San Francisco, California Earthquake Awareness Through Oct. 17: M7 Shaking Tour
LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Millions of California residents are being urged to prepare for potentially devastating earthquakes this week, as state emergency officials bring a magnitude 7.0 earthquake simul
By Mason Reid · 2026-10-13T12:54:33.320Z
LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Millions of California residents are being urged to prepare for potentially devastating earthquakes this week, as state emergency officials bring a magnitude 7.0 earthquake simulator to major cities ahead of Thursday's Great California ShakeOut.
The statewide earthquake awareness campaign continues through Saturday, Oct. 17, with events in San Francisco, Sacramento, Los Angeles and San Diego highlighting the dangers posed by the San Andreas Fault and other active seismic systems.
The California Governor's Office of Emergency Services launched its 2026 Great California ShakeOut Tour on Monday, Oct. 12, at San Francisco State University.
The tour continues at Sacramento State on Tuesday, Oct. 13, before arriving at UCLA in Los Angeles on Wednesday, Oct. 14, and San Diego's Balboa Park on Thursday, Oct. 15.
Visitors can experience simulated shaking comparable to a magnitude 7.0 earthquake while speaking with emergency preparedness specialists.
California's earthquake danger extends far beyond a single fault line.
In Southern California, the San Andreas Fault is capable of producing a major earthquake that could cause widespread damage across the Los Angeles metropolitan region.
A U.S. Geological Survey planning scenario examined the consequences of a hypothetical magnitude 7.8 earthquake along the southern San Andreas Fault.
Researchers found that such an event could produce severe shaking across portions of Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino counties, potentially disrupting transportation, water supplies, electricity and emergency services.
The scenario is not a prediction of an approaching earthquake.
Los Angeles has already experienced the destructive consequences of major seismic activity. The magnitude 6.7 Northridge earthquake struck Jan. 17, 1994, damaging buildings, highways and critical infrastructure across the region.
Northern California faces significant earthquake hazards of its own.
A USGS earthquake outlook published in 2016 estimated a 72% probability of at least one magnitude 6.7 or greater earthquake occurring somewhere in the San Francisco Bay Area between 2014 and 2043.
The estimate includes potential earthquakes along the San Andreas, Hayward, Rodgers Creek and other regional faults.
Those hazards are especially important for densely developed areas around San Francisco, Oakland, Berkeley and neighboring East Bay communities.
The Great California ShakeOut takes place Thursday, Oct. 15, at 10:15 a.m. Pacific time.
More than 10.4 million Californians participated in earthquake preparedness exercises during 2025, according to the California Department of Education.
This year's statewide drill encourages residents, schools and businesses to practice dropping to their hands and knees, taking cover beneath sturdy furniture and holding on until shaking stops.
The California Earthquake Early Warning System provides an additional layer of protection.
Using a network of seismic sensors, the system can detect earthquakes after they begin and send warnings to some residents before strong shaking reaches their locations.
Warnings are available through the MyShake smartphone application, compatible mobile device alerts and Wireless Emergency Alerts.
However, the system cannot predict earthquakes or guarantee advance notice before shaking arrives.
Emergency officials also encourage families to secure heavy furniture, identify safe shelter locations and prepare emergency supplies sufficient for extended disruptions.
California authorities recommend keeping enough essential supplies to sustain household members for at least two weeks following a major disaster.
With active faults spanning the state, earthquakes remain an ongoing concern for communities from San Francisco and Sacramento to Los Angeles and San Diego.
Thursday's drill provides an opportunity to practice protective actions before an earthquake occurs, while the broader awareness campaign through Oct. 17 reinforces the importance of preparing for an event that could strike without warning.