Hazard Guides

California Natural Hazards, Explained

Every California seller must disclose whether a property sits in certain state-mapped hazard zones. These guides explain each one in plain English — what it is, who maps it, and what it means for a buyer.

Earthquake Fault Zones

Alquist-Priolo · Statutory

State-mapped zones around active surface faults. Development inside one requires a geologic investigation, and sellers must disclose it on the NHDS.

Seismic Hazard Zones

CGS · Statutory

Areas the California Geological Survey maps for liquefaction or earthquake-induced landslides — one of the six hazards on the statutory NHD form.

Liquefaction

Seismic hazard

How saturated, loose soil loses strength during shaking, where it occurs in California, and what a liquefaction-zone disclosure means for buyers.

Fire Hazard Severity Zones

CAL FIRE · Statutory

Moderate, High and Very High zones in state and local responsibility areas, plus the defensible-space and AB 38 rules that follow them.

Dam Inundation Zones

DWR · Statutory

Land that could flood if a dam failed, mapped by the Department of Water Resources and required on every California NHD disclosure.

Tsunami Hazard Zones

CGS · Coastal

Coastal areas mapped for potential tsunami inundation, and when a tsunami determination belongs in a property disclosure.

Contamination Plumes

Environmental

Underground spread of pollutants from leaking tanks and industrial sites, how GeoTracker and EnviroStor track them, and why they matter to buyers.

Check any California address free

Run a free preliminary hazard screen against live state and federal GIS maps, then order the full NHD report when you're ready.

Run a free hazard check