Explore officially designated earthquake, fire, and geological hazard zones across Los Angeles. Toggle layers to see which areas fall within each zone.
Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zones are areas where surface fault rupture is most likely during an earthquake. California law requires special geological investigations before new construction.
Risk: Buildings on a fault trace face the highest ground rupture risk. The ground itself can shift and split along the fault line during a major earthquake.
California Geological Survey & LA City GeoHubAreas where soil can behave like liquid during strong earthquake shaking, typically in loose, sandy soil with a high water table.
Risk: Buildings can sink, tilt, or shift. Underground utilities are especially vulnerable. Older buildings without modern foundation engineering face the highest risk.
California Geological Survey & LA City GeoHubHillside areas where previous landslides occurred or where conditions make landslides likely during earthquakes or heavy rain.
Risk: Earth movement can damage foundations, retaining walls, and utilities. Heavy rain compounds earthquake-related landslide risk.
California Geological Survey & LA City GeoHubAreas designated by CAL FIRE where the wildfire threat is most severe based on vegetation, terrain, weather, and fire history.
Risk: Highest wildfire risk in the city. Evacuation may be mandatory during fire events. Insurance costs are significantly higher, and some insurers may refuse coverage.
CAL FIRE & LA City GeoHubZones prone to sustained strong winds, particularly during Santa Ana events. Buildings must meet enhanced structural and fire-resistance standards.
Risk: High winds accelerate wildfire spread and can cause structural damage, downed trees, and power outages. Wind-driven embers can travel over a mile ahead of a fire front.
LA City GeoHubLA's Mandatory Retrofit Program requires ~13,500 pre-1978 wood-frame buildings with weak ground floors to be seismically strengthened.
Risk: Soft-story buildings are among the most vulnerable in earthquakes. The weak ground floor can collapse, causing upper floors to pancake.
LADBS Retrofit ProgramKeep 3 days of water, food, flashlight, first-aid kit, and battery radio. Store shoes and a flashlight near your bed.
Your landlord’s insurance doesn’t cover your belongings. Get renter’s insurance with earthquake and fire coverage ($15–30/mo).
Identify two exits from your unit. Know where gas shutoffs are. Don’t use elevators in earthquakes. Check doors for heat in fires.
Hazard zone data is sourced from official LA City GeoHub, California Geological Survey, and CAL FIRE databases. Zone designations indicate elevated risk — they do not guarantee a specific event will or will not occur. This is not a professional geological or fire zone assessment.