M3.1 earthquake Central California

A magnitude 3.1 earthquake struck in Central California on Fri, Nov 20, 1981, 5:58 AM PST (13:58 UTC), 13 km (8 mi) below the surface.

A larger quake followed: M3.2 9 km WNW of Aspen Springs, 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: 69 in the 60 days after this one and 39 in the 30 days before it.

The first 60 of 69.

From the USGS Earthquake Hazards Program and its partner networks, event nc1069608 (also filed as ci527260). Read Wed, Sep 23, 2026, 10:21 PM UTC.