M2.0 earthquake 23km NW of Tehachapi, CA

A magnitude 2.0 earthquake struck 23km NW of Tehachapi, CA on Thu, Oct 22, 1981, 3:18 AM PDT (10:18 UTC), 5 km (3 mi) below the surface.

A larger quake followed: M2.4 18km ESE of Maricopa, 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: 123 in the 60 days after this one and 0 in the 30 days before it.

The first 60 of 123.

From the USGS Earthquake Hazards Program and its partner networks, event ci525946. Read Wed, Sep 23, 2026, 11:10 AM UTC.