A probabilistic seismic hazard map is a map that shows the hazard from earthquakes that geologists and seismologists agree could occur in California. It is probabilistic in the sense that the analysis takes into consideration the uncertainties in the size and location of earthquakes and the resulting ground motions that can affect a particular site.

The maps are typically expressed in terms of probability of exceeding a certain ground motion. For example, the 10% probability of exceedance in 50 years maps depict an annual probability of 1 in 475 of being exceeded each year. This level of ground shaking has been used for designing buildings in high seismic areas. The maps for 10% probability of exceedance in 50 years show ground motions that we do not think will be exceeded in the next 50 years. In fact, there is a 90% chance that these ground motions will NOT be exceeded. This probability level allows engineers to design buildings for larger ground motions than what we think will occur during a 50-year interval, which will make buildings safer than if they were only designed for the ground motions that we expect to occur in the next 50 years.

View/Download a copy of Earthquake Shaking Potential map shown at right:

PDF version     JPEG version

View/Download a copy of Regional Earthquake Shaking Potential maps similar to above: (pdf files)

North Coast        San Francisco Area       Central Coast        Los Angeles Area        San Diego Area

For a regional map showing shaking for eastern California and western Nevada. Click here for Map. (pdf file)

Information provided by: conservation.ca.gov