When is the big earthquake going to hit california?

Californians are always being warned about the "big quake." But when this big earthquake is actually supposed to hit California has been a mystery and a debate among seismologists for decades. So when a 4.6 magnitude quake was detected on Monday Nov.… read more

The magnitude 8.2 earthquake that ravaged southern Mexico on Sept. 7 was the largest to shake the country in nearly a century. Like California, Mexico is a seismically active region that has seen smaller quakes that have caused death and destruction. But the Sept. 7 temblor is a reminder that even larger quakes — while rare — do occur. read more

On Sunday morning, California was unceremoniously awoken by the largest earthquake to hit the Bay Area in 25 years. But as damaging as the 6.0 trembler was, scientists fear that it will pale in comparison to "The Big One," a "hypothetical earthquake" with the potential to nearly wipe out parts of the state. read more

California is one of the most seismically active regions in the world. More than 300 faults crisscross the state, which sits atop the meeting of two of Earth's major tectonic plates, the Pacific and the North American. About 10,000 quakes rattle southern California each year, although most of them are too small to be felt. read more