M1.8 earthquake 6 km N of Avenal, California

A magnitude 1.8 earthquake struck 6 km N of Avenal, California on Fri, Aug 16, 1985, 1:43 PM PDT (20:43 UTC), 6 km (4 mi) below the surface.

A larger quake followed: M2.8 6 km E of Avenal, 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: 197 in the 60 days after this one and 0 in the 30 days before it.

The first 60 of 197.

From the USGS Earthquake Hazards Program and its partner networks, event nc53096. Read Tue, Sep 22, 2026, 9:40 PM UTC.