1868 Hayward earthquake occurred in the San Francisco Bay Area , California , United States on October 21 . With an estimated moment magnitude of 6.3 – 6.7 and a maximum Mercalli intensity of IX ( '' Violent '' ) , it was the most recent large earthquake to occur on the Hayward Fault Zone . It caused significant damage and a number of deaths throughout the region , and was known as the " Great San Francisco earthquake " prior to the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and fire
1906 San Francisco earthquake and fire
1906 San Francisco earthquake
1868 Hayward earthquake