Earthquakes Near Oxnard Today
Live answer from USGS data — every earthquake within 150 km (93 mi) of Oxnard, California.
Checking live USGS data near Oxnard…
Why Oxnard gets earthquakes
Oxnard lies in the Ventura Basin, one of the fastest-deforming pieces of crust in Southern California. Thrust faults like the Oak Ridge fault (which runs beneath the Oxnard Plain), the Ventura–Pitas Point fault, and the McGrath fault accommodate rapid north–south compression here.
Research suggests the Ventura–Pitas Point system could produce a rare M7.5+ quake with coastal uplift and a local tsunami. More routinely, Oxnard feels moderate quakes from the Santa Barbara Channel and events like the 1994 Northridge quake, which caused damage across Ventura County.
Oxnard earthquake FAQ
▸Did Oxnard just have an earthquake?
The live panel at the top of this page checks the USGS catalog for every earthquake within 150 km of Oxnard and answers in one line. Keep in mind USGS data lags real shaking by roughly 2–3 minutes in California and up to ~8 minutes in other regions — if you felt something seconds ago, refresh shortly.
▸What faults cause earthquakes near Oxnard?
Oxnard sits on the Ventura Basin's thrust fault system: the Oak Ridge fault under the Oxnard Plain, the Ventura–Pitas Point fault, and offshore Santa Barbara Channel faults. These compressional faults are capable of large, damaging quakes.
▸What magnitude earthquake can you feel in Oxnard, CA?
Close to the epicenter, people typically begin to feel earthquakes around magnitude 2.5–3.0. An M4+ is felt across a wide area and rattles objects; M5+ can damage buildings near the epicenter. Shallow quakes feel stronger than deep ones of the same magnitude, and soft soils amplify shaking.
▸What should I do if I feel an earthquake in Oxnard?
Drop, Cover, and Hold On — get low, take cover under sturdy furniture, and hold on until shaking stops. Afterward, check for hazards like gas leaks, and expect possible aftershocks. If you're in a coastal area and the shaking is strong or lasts a long time, move inland or to high ground. Official guidance: ready.gov/earthquakes.