The Brief
- Belief in “earthquake weather” is common, especially in California, but scientists are clear that there is no such thing.
- Weather systems, including rain, wind, temperature changes, or barometric pressure, simply don’t reach deep enough to trigger earthquakes.
- There are two main reasons why it may seem like quakes have become more common: better detection and increased awareness.
SAN FRANCISCO – After a recent swarm of small earthquakes near San Ramon, many people across the Bay Area have been asking the same question:
“Is this earthquake weather?”
It’s a common belief, especially in California, but scientists are clear that there is no such thing.
Where the myth comes from
The idea of earthquake weather dates back centuries, long before modern seismology. People noticed that some earthquakes happened on warm, calm, or foggy days, and a connection was assumed.…