M2.4 earthquake 9 km ENE of Gilroy, California

A magnitude 2.4 earthquake struck 9 km ENE of Gilroy, California on Wed, Dec 26, 1979, 10:53 AM PST (18:53 UTC), 9 km (5 mi) below the surface.

A larger quake followed: M3.5 Northern 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: 188 in the 60 days after this one and 0 in the 30 days before it.

The first 60 of 188.

From the USGS Earthquake Hazards Program and its partner networks, event nc1049554. Read Tue, Sep 22, 2026, 10:55 AM UTC.