There is no large, widely reported damaging earthquake in Long Beach on record for January 1, 2026 at this time. However, Long Beach is a high-risk earthquake area with a long history of seismic activity, including the historic 1933 Long Beach earthquake and frequent small quakes that residents occasionally feel.

Quick Scoop

  • No major quake “right now” : Public information and local updates do not show a significant destructive earthquake in Long Beach on or immediately around January 1, 2026, though minor shaking is always possible in Southern California.
  • Active fault region : Long Beach sits near several active faults, and the area regularly experiences small quakes that may feel like brief jolts or rolling motions.
  • Historic 1933 event : The 1933 Long Beach earthquake caused severe damage and many deaths, which led to major changes in California building codes, especially for schools.

If You Just Felt Shaking

If you are in or near Long Beach and believe you just felt an earthquake, consider these immediate steps (only if you are currently safe):

  1. Check yourself and others for injuries and move away from anything that could fall.
  2. Inspect for obvious hazards: gas smell, broken glass, damaged power lines, or structural cracks, and avoid dangerous areas.
  3. Use official sources (local government, emergency services, USGS, trusted news) for the latest confirmed information and instructions.

Long Beach Earthquake Risk Snapshot

  • Long Beach is part of the greater Los Angeles coastal region, which faces significant long-term risk of strong earthquakes from nearby faults. Historic events like 1933 show how damaging shaking can be in this area, especially to older or poorly built structures.
  • Modern building codes and retrofits, introduced after 1933, have greatly improved school and public building safety; since those upgrades, no California school has collapsed from an earthquake.

Staying Prepared in Long Beach

  • Secure heavy furniture, TVs, and shelves so they cannot fall during shaking.
  • Prepare a basic emergency kit (water, food, medications, flashlight, batteries, cash, copies of documents) for at least several days.
  • Practice “Drop, Cover, and Hold On” with your household so everyone knows what to do when shaking starts.

Note: If you are seeking “latest news” or live confirmation of a specific quake in Long Beach, local emergency management, the city’s official channels, and regional news outlets will have the most current, actionable details.