M1.9 earthquake 10 km ESE of Willits, California

A magnitude 1.9 earthquake struck 10 km ESE of Willits, California on Thu, Dec 20, 1979, 5:23 AM PST (13:23 UTC), 11 km (7 mi) below the surface.

A larger quake followed: M2.3 16 km S of Leggett, 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: 124 in the 60 days after this one and 63 in the 30 days before it.

The first 60 of 124.

From the USGS Earthquake Hazards Program and its partner networks, event nc1049453. Read Tue, Sep 22, 2026, 9:33 PM UTC.