text: A timeline graphic showing the 10 strongest earthquakes in California's history, which are: Jan. 9, 1857, Fort Tejon 7.9 on the Richter Scale Two deaths April 18, 1906, San Francisco 7.9 on the Richter Scale 700 to 3,000+ deaths March 26, 1872, Owens Valley 7.8 on the Richter Scale 27 deaths July 21, 1952, Kern County 7.5 on the Richter Scale 12 deaths Jan. 31, 1922, Eureka (37 miles offshore) 7.3 on the Richter Scale Nov. 4, 1927, Lompoc (offshore) 7.3 on the Richter Scale June 28, 1992, Landers 7.3 on the Richter Scale One death Jan. 22, 1923, Mendocino 7.2 on the Richter Scale Nov. 8, 1980, Eureka (offshore) 7.2 on the Richter Scale April 25, 1992, Cape Mendocino (offshore) 7.2 on the Richter Scale