M1.8 earthquake 2km WSW of Compton, CA

A magnitude 1.8 earthquake struck 2km WSW of Compton, CA on Sun, Dec 10, 1978, 7:43 AM PST (15:43 UTC), 6 km (4 mi) below the surface.

A larger quake followed: M2.5 9km S of Malibu Beach, 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: 191 in the 60 days after this one and 0 in the 30 days before it.

The first 60 of 191.

From the USGS Earthquake Hazards Program and its partner networks, event ci9688786. Read Thu, Sep 24, 2026, 4:14 AM UTC.