M1.9 earthquake 9 km ESE of Willits, California

A magnitude 1.9 earthquake struck 9 km ESE of Willits, California on Fri, Nov 6, 1981, 4:27 AM PST (12:27 UTC), 7 km (4 mi) below the surface.

A larger quake followed: M2.5 23 km W of Elk Creek, 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: 160 in the 60 days after this one and 38 in the 30 days before it.

The first 60 of 160.

From the USGS Earthquake Hazards Program and its partner networks, event nc1069233. Read Wed, Sep 23, 2026, 4:12 AM UTC.