Seismograph displaying seismic activity with a series of jagged lines on a transparent background.

Welcome to the

Earthquake Capital of the world

Black and white aerial view of Parkfield, California in 1964 showing the town's proximity to the San Andreas Fault.

Parkfield sits at a remarkable crossroads of California’s geology, right on the San Andreas Fault, the boundary between the Pacific and North American tectonic plates. This makes the area one of the most geologically active in the world and the most studied spot on Earth for earthquakes. Here, the land itself tells a story millions of years in the making.

The San Andreas Fault

The San Andreas Fault slices directly through the Parkfield Valley. This massive fault is responsible for frequent seismic activity in Parkfield, including magnitude-6 earthquakes roughly every 22 years. Because of its predictable patterns, scientists established the USGS Parkfield Experiment and later the San Andreas Fault Observatory at Depth (SAFOD), drilling deep into the fault to study its structure and behavior.

A bridge crossing the San Andreas Fault on Parkfield Coalinga Road with brown highway signs indicating the San Andreas Fault and the Pacific Plate.
Several concentric circles on a black background, resembling an earthquake epicenter.

Bridge spanning the San Andreas Fault just before entering Parkfield.

Earthquakes in Parkfield

While the San Andreas Fault keeps Parkfield geologically active, residents and visitors rarely notice the smaller quakes. Frequent, mild seismic activity acts like nature’s safety valve, steadily releasing pressure and helping to prevent larger events. Every so often, a moderate earthquake rolls through, just enough to remind us that Parkfield rests on one of the most dynamic landscapes on Earth.

The San Andreas Fault near Parkfield, California in the 1990s with markers for geologic research.

Faultline measurement field, 1990

Life on the San Andreas Fault

The San Andreas Fault may sound intimidating, but here in Parkfield it’s just part of daily life. Our quakes are generally small, and we’ve never had a recorded casualty. Instead, we get to delight in the rolling hills, valleys, and dramatic landscapes the fault has created, scenery that makes Parkfield a truly special place to experience.

Curious about Parkfield’s role in earthquake science? The USGS Parkfield Experiment explains why this small town is the world’s most studied earthquake site. Read more here.

Aerial view of the Cholame Valley near Parkfield, California a rural landscape with a winding road through dry, golden hills dotted with green trees, under a clear sky.

Our valley, crafted over millennia by the San Andreas Fault