M1.7 earthquake 15 km NW of Parkfield, California

A magnitude 1.7 earthquake struck 15 km NW of Parkfield, California on Wed, Mar 27, 1985, 4:54 AM PST (12:54 UTC), 3 km (2 mi) below the surface.

A larger quake followed: M2.0 15 km N of Coalinga, 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: 165 in the 60 days after this one and 34 in the 30 days before it.

The first 60 of 165.

From the USGS Earthquake Hazards Program and its partner networks, event nc44817. Read Tue, Sep 22, 2026, 11:02 AM UTC.