Southern California consists of one of the more varied collections of geologic , topographic , and natural ecosystem landscapes in a diversity outnumbering other major regions in the state and country . The region spans from Pacific Ocean islands , shorelines , beaches , and coastal plains , through the Transverse and Peninsular Ranges with their peaks , and into the large and small interior valleys , to the vast deserts of California . Southern California is divided into : Each year , southern California has about 10,000 earthquakes . Nearly all of them are so small that they are not felt . Only several hundred have been greater than magnitude 3.0 , and only about 15 – 20 have been greater than magnitude 4.0 . The magnitude 6.7 1994 Northridge earthquake was particularly destructive , causing a substantial number of deaths , injuries , and structural collapses as well as the most property damage of any earthquake in U.S. history at an estimated $ 20 billion
1994 Northridge earthquake
1994 Northridge earthquake
Southern California