M3.1 Earthquake 54 km WNW of Petrolia, CA — December 5, 2024
2024-12-05 23:30:30 UTC (2024-12-05) · approx. 3:30 PM UTC-8 local
On December 5, 2024 at 23:30 UTC, a magnitude 3.1 shallow crustal earthquake struck 54 km WNW of Petrolia, CA, at a depth of 16.5 km and coordinates 40.3763°, -124.9132°.
Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 3.1 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 651 kg of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 82 m — a useful intuition for the size of the slip patch on the fault.
Earthquake Details
-124.9132°E
Technical Information
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Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 3.1 earthquake near Petrolia, CA?
The magnitude 3.1 earthquake that struck 54 km WNW of Petrolia, CA on December 5, 2024 at 23:30 UTC had a depth of 16.5 km. For context, this was a minor earthquake typically detected only by instruments.
Were there aftershocks?
Aftershock activity is monitored continuously by the USGS. Aftershock sequences from magnitude 3.1 earthquakes can continue for several days and gradually diminish over time.
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Understanding This Data
Magnitude 3.1 earthquakes are typically only recorded by instruments.
Authoritative source: USGS event page (event ID: nc75096716). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2024, December 5, 2024). M3.1 Earthquake 54 km WNW of Petrolia, CA — December 5, 2024. Retrieved February 15, 2025 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/nc75096716/