M 3.5 Minor Earthquake Recorded Near Johannesburg, California

What Happened

A minor earthquake with a magnitude of 3.5 ml occurred on February 17, 2026, at 00:20:52 UTC (4:20 PM local time on February 16). The event was centered 18 km east-southeast of Johannesburg, California, and originated at a shallow depth of 3.3 kilometers.

Location Details

The earthquake’s epicenter was located at coordinates 35.305°N, 117.457°W. This position is approximately 11 miles east-southeast of the community of Johannesburg. The recorded depth of 3.3 km is considered very shallow; earthquakes occurring less than 20 km below the surface are often more easily felt by those in the immediate vicinity than deeper events of the same magnitude.

Impact Assessment

According to data from the USGS, the maximum instrumental intensity (MMI) was recorded at 4.008, which corresponds to light shaking. There was no tsunami advisory, watch, or warning issued in connection with this event. No specific alert level color was assigned, and there are currently no official reports of damage or injuries associated with this seismic activity.

What You Should Know

Earthquakes with magnitudes between 2.5 and 3.9 are classified as minor. While these events are often felt by people near the epicenter, they rarely cause structural damage. Residents in the region should be aware that aftershocks are a common occurrence following seismic activity, though they are typically smaller than the initial event.

Source

Information provided by the USGS Earthquake Hazards Program.