M1.8 earthquake 20km S of Carpinteria, CA

A magnitude 1.8 earthquake struck 20km S of Carpinteria, CA on Tue, Jan 9, 1979, 1:13 PM PST (21:13 UTC), 17 km (11 mi) below the surface.

A larger quake followed: M2.3 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: 112 in the 60 days after this one and 73 in the 30 days before it.

The first 60 of 112.

From the USGS Earthquake Hazards Program and its partner networks, event ci3345488. Read Tue, Sep 22, 2026, 9:30 PM UTC.