M1.6 earthquake 9 km N of Avenal, California

A magnitude 1.6 earthquake struck 9 km N of Avenal, California on Sun, Mar 23, 1986, 12:15 AM PST (08:15 UTC), 13 km (8 mi) below the surface.

A larger quake followed: M2.8 9 km NW of Kettleman City, 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: 103 in the 60 days after this one and 43 in the 30 days before it.

The first 60 of 103.

From the USGS Earthquake Hazards Program and its partner networks, event nc68549. Read Tue, Sep 22, 2026, 9:28 PM UTC.