M1.8 earthquake 28 km SE of Big Sur, California

A magnitude 1.8 earthquake struck 28 km SE of Big Sur, California on Sun, Apr 28, 1985, 8:18 PM PDT (03:18 UTC), 3 km (2 mi) below the surface.

A larger quake followed: M2.4 0 km SE of Cayucos, 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: 86 in the 60 days after this one and 63 in the 30 days before it.

The first 60 of 86.

From the USGS Earthquake Hazards Program and its partner networks, event nc46786. Read Tue, Sep 22, 2026, 12:10 PM UTC.