M1.5 earthquake 26km NE of Arvin, CA

A magnitude 1.5 earthquake struck 26km NE of Arvin, CA on Fri, Apr 3, 1981, 10:39 AM PST (18:39 UTC), 5 km (3 mi) below the surface.

A larger quake followed: M1.9 8km NE of Ridgecrest, 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: 79 in the 60 days after this one and 22 in the 30 days before it.

The first 60 of 79.

From the USGS Earthquake Hazards Program and its partner networks, event ci516382. Read Tue, Sep 22, 2026, 9:36 PM UTC.