M1.7 earthquake 6km ESE of Niland, CA

A magnitude 1.7 earthquake struck 6km ESE of Niland, CA on Sun, May 3, 1981, 10:34 PM PDT (05:34 UTC), 4 km (3 mi) below the surface.

A larger quake followed: M1.7 7km WSW of Westmorland, 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: 188 in the 60 days after this one and 0 in the 30 days before it.

The first 60 of 188.

From the USGS Earthquake Hazards Program and its partner networks, event ci515403. Read Tue, Sep 22, 2026, 9:40 PM UTC.