M2.6 earthquake Central California

A magnitude 2.6 earthquake struck in Central California on Sun, Jan 1, 1978, 6:37 AM PST (14:37 UTC), 6 km (4 mi) below the surface.

A larger quake followed: M3.1 Central California. 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: 143 in the 60 days after this one and 44 in the 30 days before it.

The first 60 of 143.

From the USGS Earthquake Hazards Program and its partner networks, event nc1038424. Read Tue, Sep 22, 2026, 5:24 PM UTC.