Park earthquake history

Review documented seismic events through a structured catalogue of epicentre locations and magnitudes

Recorded Earthquake History and Seismic Activity Near Channel Islands National Park

This historical archive tracks recorded earthquake activity associated by geographic proximity to the diverse landscapes of Channel Islands National Park. Explore a detailed inventory of seismic events that includes specific occurrence dates, calculated depths, and epicenter distances from the archipelago. This data provides a factual record of regional seismicity for researchers and geography enthusiasts tracking the geologic history of the Southern California coastline.

Related tags

IslandsMarine EcosystemsEndemic SpeciesArchaeological SitesSea Caves

Explore Channel Islands National Park

A rugged archipelago of five islands protecting endemic species and 13,000 years of human history off the coast of Southern California

Channel Islands National Park

Channel Islands National Park encompasses five of the eight Channel Islands off the Southern California coast, creating a unique protected archipelago that lies just miles from the densely populated mainland yet feels worlds apart. The park spans approximately 249,561 acres, with roughly half extending beneath the ocean surface, making it one of the most maritime-dominated national parks in the United States. The five islands within the park include San Miguel, Santa Rosa, Anacapa, Santa Barbara, and Santa Cruz, each offering distinct landscapes ranging from volcanic peaks and sea cliffs to sheltered coves and grassy hillsides. Established in 1980, the park emerged from earlier designations including a 1938 national monument for Anacapa and Santa Barbara islands, and today represents one of California most significant ecological preserves. The islands hold extraordinary significance for understanding both natural history and human presence in the Americas. Archaeological evidence reveals continuous human occupation dating back 8,000 to 13,000 years, with artifacts representing some of the oldest known sites in North America. The islands were once home to thousands of Chumash people, whose sophisticated maritime culture developed across centuries of inhabiting this island environment. European explorer Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo first documented the islands in 1542, beginning a new chapter in their history. The park protects not only terrestrial environments but also the surrounding marine waters through its proximity to the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary.

Location: United States of America
Park type: National park
Established: 1980
Area: 1,009.9 km²

Channel Islands National Park Protected Area

Trace reported epicentres around California’s island and marine landscapes

Channel Islands National Park earthquake evidence collection

The Channel Islands National Park catalogue relates earthquake reports to the archipelago through mapped epicentres and calculated separation, preserving the distinction between regional proximity and occurrence within an island boundary. Dates, magnitudes, depths, place labels, park distances, and source access make the historical records comparable without asserting coastal or ecosystem impacts.

Magnitude

Location

This page describes catalogued earthquakes associated with the park by epicentre location and distance. It does not establish causation, assess current danger, or predict future earthquakes.

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Park atlas

Continue beyond Channel Islands National Park earthquake history in the atlas

Discover other protected parks after Channel Islands National Park

After the earthquake catalogue around Channel Islands National Park, the atlas leaves one Southern California island, marine, and sea-cave landscape for other destinations. Their appearance does not signify common national-park status, island geography, archaeology, proximity, geology, seismic records, hazards, risk, endemic species, or equivalent coverage.

Marine protected areaCalifornia

Park boundaries overlap#1 closest

West

Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary Marine Protected Area Map and Atlas

Southern California marine habitat and island topography

Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary protects 1,470 square miles of diverse marine environment near the California coast. This sanctuary guards vital kelp forests and deep seafloor ecosystems while preserving deep water archaeological sites and the biological legacy of the Northern Channel Islands.

Area: 3,807 km²
Established: 1980
IUCN: V
Relief: Lowland

Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary Map

Marine protected areaCalifornia

17 km away#2 closest

West

Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary: California Marine Protected Area Atlas

Mapping coastal transition zones and submarine seafloor features

Spanning over 4,500 square miles off the Central Coast of California, the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary represents a critical ecological intersection between northern and southern marine species. The sanctuary includes dramatic underwater terrain like Arguello Canyon, Rodriguez Seamount, and the Santa Lucia Bank, creating a complex habitat that sustains kelp forests and diverse maritime resources.

Area: 11,770 km²
Established: 2024
IUCN: V
Relief: Mixed relief

Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary Map and Geography

Protected landscapeCalifornia

21 km away#3 closest

Northwest

Los Padres National Forest: Geography and Protected Landscape Map of Central California

Extensive wilderness corridors and high mountain ridges

Spanning from the Big Sur coastline to the interior ranges of the Santa Lucia and San Rafael mountains, Los Padres National Forest represents a significant protected area in California. The region contains deep gorges, forest-covered canyons, and high-altitude pine ridges that provide essential habitat and support major river headwaters.

Area: 7,700 km²
Established: 1936
Relief: Mountain
Climate: Mediterranean

Los Padres National Forest Protected Area Atlas

Protected landscapeCalifornia

22 km away#4 closest

East

Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area: Protected Landscape and Regional Geography

Exploring the ecological and cultural tapestry of Southern California's coastal mountains.

Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area comprises a complex array of parks and preserves that protect the unique Mediterranean climate of Southern California. The terrain showcases rugged ridgelines, deeply carved canyons, and vital coastal habitats. As a significant urban protected area, it offers an essential look at how biodiversity, human history, and regional geography coexist within one of the most populated zones in the United States.

Area: 638 km²
Established: 1978
IUCN: V
Visitors: 795.2K annual

Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area Atlas

Protected landscapeCalifornia

59 km away#5 closest

East

Angeles National Forest: Mapped Protected Landscapes and Geographic Terrain in California

Mountain wilderness and Mediterranean watershed geography

Spanning the San Gabriel and Sierra Pelona ranges, Angeles National Forest serves as a dramatic ecological transition zone. This analysis of its protected landscape focuses on the interaction between steep canyons, high peaks, and the distinct chaparral and conifer zones that shape California geography.

Area: 2,652.26 km²
Established: 1908
Relief: Mountain
Climate: Mediterranean

Angeles National Forest Atlas

Wildlife reserveCalifornia

About 64 km away#6 closest

North

Matilija Wilderness: A High Elevation Protected Landscape in the Santa Ynez Mountains

Rugged canyon geography and critical California condor habitat

Spanning from deep canyon bottoms to the high rocky ridges of Monte Arido, Matilija Wilderness represents a significant protected unit within California. The area encompasses a dense network of riparian habitats along Matilija Creek, forming a vital ecological corridor for wildlife and preserving the rugged terrain of the southern Santa Ynez Mountains.

Area: 118.2 km²
Established: 1992
IUCN: Ib
Relief: Mountain

Matilija Wilderness Protected Area Map

Wildlife reserveSan Luis Obispo County

122 km away#7 closest

Northwest

Garcia Wilderness: Mapped Boundaries and Geographic Identity in San Luis Obispo County

Studying the Santa Lucia Range ridge and forest ecosystems

Located in San Luis Obispo County, Garcia Wilderness encompasses 14,100 acres of protected coastal mountains. Its topography features a prominent east-west ridge system that dictates local drainage patterns and vegetative shifts, ranging from lower-slope chaparral to dense oak forests. This area represents a vital segment of the federal conservation efforts established to protect the central California landscape.

Area: 57 km²
Established: 1992
IUCN: Ib
Relief: Mountain

Garcia Wilderness Protected Area Atlas

Protected landscapeCalifornia

140 km away#8 closest

North

Sequoia National Forest: Protected Sierra Nevada Geography and Mountain Terrain

A vast protected landscape spanning 1.1 million acres in California

Spanning Tulare, Kern, and Fresno counties, Sequoia National Forest preserves iconic giant sequoia groves across multiple river watersheds. The terrain features vertical relief exceeding 11,000 feet, showcasing a range of ecosystems from chaparral slopes and coniferous forests to glacial cirques and granite spires located within the southern Sierra Nevada range.

Area: 4,829.17 km²
Established: 1908
Relief: Mountain
Climate: Mediterranean

Sequoia National Forest Geography

MoriAtlas Explorer

Continue Exploring Channel Islands National Park's Geography and Protected Boundaries

Delve deeper into the unique geographic profile of Channel Islands National Park. Understand how its protected landscape fits within California's regional geography and explore its mapped terrain for comprehensive atlas discovery. This entry provides foundational context for appreciating the park's natural identity and its importance as a conservation landscape.

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Channel Islands National Park Protected Area

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