How often do earthquakes occur in the Bay Area?

Very often. Over the last 365 days, there were 631 earthquakes with a magnitude of 1.5 or greater. If you count the ones below M1.5 there are even more. On the richter scale, people feel minor earthquakes, a magnitude of M3.0-3.9 and above. read more

If earthquakes struck randomly over time, the region would expect another earthquake of this same magnitude in the next 30 years with about a 50 percent probability. But scientists know that earthquakes do not always occur randomly over time. In some regions, such as the Bay Area, large earthquakes are more frequent at some times than others. read more

Between magnitudes 3.0 to 6.0, more often (probably twice a year or so). Earthquakes below 3.0, almost every day! Bay Area is seated on several fault lines, the most active and main one being the San Andreas fault line. Earthquakes happen almost every day. Fortunately, most are small and cannot be felt. read more

I may be moving to the Bay area around Oakland and San Francisco, and I'm wondering how often earthquakes strike the area. read more