Earthquake

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Earthquake Facts

Every year, approximately 500 earthquakes occur in the state of California that are large enough to be felt. San Diego County, in comparison to other southern California areas, has sparse seismicity. However, since 1984, earthquake activity in San Diego County has doubled over that of the preceding 50 years.

rose_fault Ongoing field and laboratory studies suggest the largest credible earthquake predicted for the coastal and metropolitan areas is a M7.2 on the Rose Canyon Fault and a M7.6 from either the Elsinore Fault or the San Jacinto Fault in the north and east county areas.

The US Geological Survey has simulated the effects of the next big Californian earthquake and one of their computer models assumes that the next big event on the San Andreas fault will be magnitude M7.8, with a single event in which a rupture starts in Southern California near the Salton Sea and then shoots north along the fault to hit Los Angeles.

In addition, studies suggest the following maximum likely magnitudes for local faults: La Nacion (M6.2 to 6.6), Coronado Bank (M6.0 to 7.7), San Diego Trough (M6.1 to 7.7), San Clemente (M6.6 to 7.7).

It should also be noted that some faults are hidden beneath unperturbed sediments (blind fault) and only discovered after an earthquake occurs.

In the event of an earthquake, the City of Oceanside may utilize its Reverse-911 system (Alert San Diego) and phone calls would be made to residents and businesses with emergency information. Phone calls are made to landlines or to cell phone numbers that are registered with Alert San Diego. Register your cell phone, free of charge. There is no need to register landlines, for they are automatically in the Alert San Diego system.