Minor M 3.7 Earthquake Reported 25 km West of Petrolia, California

What Happened

A minor earthquake with a magnitude of 3.7 mw was recorded on March 20, 2026, at 12:56 UTC (5:56 AM PDT). The event was centered approximately 25 km west of Petrolia, California, according to data from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).

Location Details

The earthquake occurred at a depth of 19.33 km, which is classified as a shallow event. Shallow earthquakes, occurring at depths of less than 20 km, are often more noticeable to those nearby than deeper seismic activity. The epicenter was located at coordinates 40.3065°N and 124.5845°W, positioned off the coast of Northern California.

Impact Assessment

There is no tsunami advisory, watch, or warning in effect for this event. The USGS reported a Modified Mercalli Intensity (MMI) of 2.583, suggesting weak shaking near the epicenter. No felt reports were logged at the time of the report, and no damage or injuries have been documented in connection with this routine seismic activity.

What You Should Know

Earthquakes with magnitudes between 2.5 and 3.9 are classified as minor. While they are frequently felt by residents, they rarely cause damage to buildings or infrastructure. Residents in the region should remain aware that aftershocks are a possibility following any seismic event, though they are typically smaller than the initial quake.

Source

Data provided by the USGS Earthquake Hazards Program.