M1.7 earthquake 6 km SSW of Gilroy, California

A magnitude 1.7 earthquake struck 6 km SSW of Gilroy, California on Thu, Oct 23, 1986, 4:14 PM PDT (23:14 UTC), 6 km (4 mi) below the surface.

A larger quake followed: M2.2 20 km SSW of Gonzales, 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: 161 in the 60 days after this one and 0 in the 30 days before it.

The first 60 of 161.

From the USGS Earthquake Hazards Program and its partner networks, event nc86370. Read Tue, Sep 22, 2026, 11:16 AM UTC.