M1.8 earthquake 16km SW of Carpinteria, CA

A magnitude 1.8 earthquake struck 16km SW of Carpinteria, CA on Mon, Jul 20, 1981, 10:00 PM PDT (05:00 UTC), 10 km (6 mi) below the surface.

A larger quake followed: M2.6 6km S of Orcutt, 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: 200 in the 60 days after this one and 0 in the 30 days before it.

The first 60 of 200.

From the USGS Earthquake Hazards Program and its partner networks, event ci519689. Read Tue, Sep 22, 2026, 9:29 PM UTC.