 The earthquake caused significant damage to Pan Jewelers upon collapse of the Acorn Building | |
 ShakeMap made by the United States Geological Survey for the earthquake | |
  Los Angeles San Simeon Paso Robles  | |
| UTC time | 2003-12-22 19:15:56 |
|---|---|
| ISC event | 7215050 |
| USGS-ANSS | ComCat |
| Local date | December 22, 2003 |
| Local time | 11:15 |
| Magnitude | 6.6 Mw[1][2] |
| Depth | 10 mi (16 km) [2] |
| Epicenter | 35°37′N 121°04′W / 35.62°N 121.07°W [2] |
| Type | Blind thrust |
| Areas affected | Central Coast (California) United States |
| Total damage | $250–300 million [2][3] |
| Max. intensity | MMI VIII (Severe) |
| Casualties | 2 killed 40 injured [2] |
The 2003 San Simeon earthquake struck at 11:15 PST (19:15 UTC) on December 22 on the Central Coast of California, about 7 miles (11 km) northeast of San Simeon. Probably centered in the Oceanic fault zone within the Santa Lucia Mountains, it was caused by thrust faulting and the rupture propagated southeast from the hypocenter for 12 miles (19 km).[3]
The most violent ground movement was within 50 miles of the epicenter, though the earthquake was felt as far away as Los Angeles. With a moment magnitude of 6.6, it was the most destructive earthquake to hit the United States since the Northridge quake of 1994.