M1.5 earthquake 22km NE of Thermal, CA

A magnitude 1.5 earthquake struck 22km NE of Thermal, CA on Fri, Dec 31, 1982, 1:43 PM PST (21:43 UTC), 5 km (3 mi) below the surface.

A larger quake followed: M3.3 26km SE of Ocotillo Wells, 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: 195 in the 60 days after this one and 114 in the 30 days before it.

The first 60 of 195.

From the USGS Earthquake Hazards Program and its partner networks, event ci500896. Read Fri, Oct 2, 2026, 11:28 PM UTC.