M1.7 earthquake 26 km NE of San Ardo, California

A magnitude 1.7 earthquake struck 26 km NE of San Ardo, California on Mon, Nov 9, 1981, 7:45 AM PST (15:45 UTC), 5 km (3 mi) below the surface.

A larger quake followed: M2.7 5 km SSE of San Juan Bautista, 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: 112 in the 60 days after this one and 45 in the 30 days before it.

The first 60 of 112.

From the USGS Earthquake Hazards Program and its partner networks, event nc1069311. Read Tue, Sep 22, 2026, 9:18 PM UTC.