M1.6 earthquake 6km ENE of Buttonwillow, CA

A magnitude 1.6 earthquake struck 6km ENE of Buttonwillow, CA on Tue, May 5, 1981, 10:05 PM PDT (05:05 UTC), 20 km (13 mi) below the surface.

A larger quake followed: M2.1 21km NW of Tehachapi, 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: 52 in the 60 days after this one and 30 in the 30 days before it.

From the USGS Earthquake Hazards Program and its partner networks, event ci515476. Read Wed, Sep 23, 2026, 5:55 PM UTC.