M1.8 earthquake 18km S of Carpinteria, CA

A magnitude 1.8 earthquake struck 18km S of Carpinteria, CA on Fri, Mar 31, 1978, 10:14 PM PST (06:14 UTC), 14 km (9 mi) below the surface.

A larger quake followed: M3.9 28km S of Port Hueneme, CA. This one was a foreshock.

Map

Where this earthquake was located, with the others nearby. Select one for its page.

No one has reported feeling this quake to the USGS.

Reviewed by a seismologist.

Distance and direction from each place to the epicenter, with its forecast.

Within 100 km, magnitude 1.5 and up: 116 in the 60 days after this one and 84 in the 30 days before it.

The first 60 of 116.

From the USGS Earthquake Hazards Program and its partner networks, event ci3338501. Read Wed, Sep 30, 2026, 12:37 AM UTC.