M1.6 earthquake 3km SSW of Niland, CA

A magnitude 1.6 earthquake struck 3km SSW of Niland, CA on Sun, Apr 5, 1981, 8:24 PM PST (04:24 UTC), 2 km (1 mi) below the surface.

A larger quake followed: M5.8 The 1981 Westmorland, California Earthquake. 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: 196 in the 60 days after this one and 69 in the 30 days before it.

The first 60 of 196.

From the USGS Earthquake Hazards Program and its partner networks, event ci515909. Read Fri, Oct 2, 2026, 5:34 PM UTC.