A preliminary magnitude-3.5 earthquake struck off the Southern California coast near Dana Point on Monday, October 5, 2026, at 1:22 p.m. local time, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Two smaller aftershocks followed within hours, and no damage or injuries were reported.
What Happened
An earthquake struck the Southern California coastline on Monday, October 5, 2026, at about 1:22 p.m. PDT, roughly 18 to 19 miles southwest of Dana Point in Orange County, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) as reported by ABC7 Los Angeles and Patch. The quake occurred offshore and was felt across southern Orange County and into San Diego County, Patch reported.
Within minutes, a 2.8-magnitude aftershock was recorded at 1:23 p.m., according to both ABC7 and CBS News Los Angeles. Patch reported a second, smaller aftershock of magnitude 2.3 at 3:06 p.m. the same day.
Conflicting Magnitude Reports
News outlets cited slightly different preliminary figures for the mainshock in the hours after it hit. ABC7 and Patch reported a preliminary magnitude of 3.5, while CBS News Los Angeles reported a preliminary magnitude of 3.7, noting it had initially been reported as 3.5. Preliminary magnitude and depth estimates are common in the first minutes after a quake and are often revised by the USGS as more seismic data comes in.
Reported Figures by Outlet
Source
Magnitude (preliminary)
Depth
Distance from Dana Point
ABC7 Los Angeles
3.5
7 miles
~19 miles SW
Patch
3.5
~5 miles
~18.6 miles SW
CBS News Los Angeles
3.7 (initially 3.5)
~5 miles
~18 miles SW
Damage, Injuries and What's Known
As of 1:35 p.m., shortly after the quake, there were no reports of injuries or damage, CBS News Los Angeles reported. ABC7 and Patch likewise reported no immediate reports of damage or injuries following the mainshock or its aftershocks.
The USGS indicated the shaking could potentially be felt in parts of inland Orange County, CBS News Los Angeles reported, while Patch described the shaking as widely felt across Orange and San Diego counties.
Background: The Fault and Aftershock Outlook
The earthquake likely occurred along the Palos Verdes fault, according to the Southern California Seismic Network, as reported by Patch. The network issued a standard aftershock forecast after the mainshock.
Aftershocks may be expected in the next few days, the largest expected is approximately 1 magnitude unit smaller than the mainshock. There is a small chance (about 5 percent) that a larger quake could occur, with the likelihood decreasing over time.
— Southern California Seismic Network, via Patch
Questions
How strong was the earthquake near Dana Point?
The USGS reported a preliminary magnitude of 3.5, though CBS News Los Angeles reported a preliminary magnitude of 3.7 after initially citing 3.5; preliminary figures are sometimes revised as the USGS reviews seismic data.
When did the earthquake happen?
It struck on Monday, October 5, 2026, at about 1:22 p.m. PDT, according to the USGS as reported by ABC7, Patch and CBS News Los Angeles.
Was there any damage or were there injuries?
No. ABC7, Patch and CBS News Los Angeles all reported no immediate damage or injuries following the quake and its aftershocks.
Were there aftershocks?
Yes. A 2.8-magnitude aftershock hit at 1:23 p.m., one minute after the mainshock, and Patch reported a second, 2.3-magnitude aftershock at 3:06 p.m. the same day.
What fault caused the earthquake?
The Southern California Seismic Network said the quake likely occurred along the Palos Verdes fault, according to Patch.
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