Top 10 Earthquakes in California, by Magnitude

The U.S. Geological Survey reports that there have been ten earthquakes in California stronger than magnitude 7.0 since the biggest ever recorded, the estimated 7.9 Fort Tejon earthquake, struck in 1857. By comparison, the Napa earthquake of 2014–a mere 6.0–hardly registers. Here are the top 10 quakes, by size, ascending:

7.0 – Nov. 4, 1927 – Central California (offshore)

7.0 – April 8, 1968 – Southern California

7.1 – Dec. 31, 1934 – Southern California

7.1 – May 18, 1940 – Southern California

7.1/7.2 – Oct. 16, 1999 – Southern California

7.2 – Apr. 25, 1992 – Northern California

7.3 – Jul. 21, 1952 – Central California

7.3 – Nov. 8, 1980 – Northern California (offshore)

7.3 – June 28, 1992 – Southern California

7.7 – Apr. 18, 1906 – Northern California (offshore)

Image: USGS