M1.9 earthquake 16km WSW of Tehachapi, CA

A magnitude 1.9 earthquake struck 16km WSW of Tehachapi, CA on Thu, Dec 31, 1981, 5:08 PM PST (01:08 UTC), 5 km (3 mi) below the surface.

A larger quake followed: M2.0 7km NNE of Santa Paula, 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: 79 in the 60 days after this one and 26 in the 30 days before it.

The first 60 of 79.

From the USGS Earthquake Hazards Program and its partner networks, event ci152433. Read Thu, Sep 24, 2026, 4:22 AM UTC.