Moderate 4.0 quake hits near Brawley, Imperial County, California, USA

An earthquake of magnitude 4.0 occurred in the evening on Saturday, May 9th, 2026, at 8:13 pm local time near Brawley, Imperial County, California, USA, as reported by the United States Geological Survey.
According to preliminary data, the quake was located at a very shallow depth of 6 miles. Shallow earthquakes are felt more strongly than deeper ones as they are closer to the surface. The exact magnitude, epicenter, and depth of the quake might be revised within the next few hours or minutes as seismologists review data and refine their calculations, or as other agencies issue their report.
A second report was later issued by The Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology (IRIS), which listed it as a magnitude 4.0 earthquake as well. A third agency, the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC), reported the same quake at magnitude 4.0.
Based on the preliminary seismic data, the quake was probably felt by many people in the area of the epicenter. It should not have caused significant damage, other than objects falling from shelves, broken windows, etc.
In Brawley (pop. 25,900) located 1 miles from the epicenter, the quake should have been felt as light shaking.
Weak shaking might have been felt in Westmorland (pop. 2,300) located 6 miles from the epicenter, Imperial (pop. 17,100) 9 miles away, Calipatria (pop. 7,400) 11 miles away, El Centro (pop. 44,000) 13 miles away, and Holtville (pop. 6,400) 15 miles away.
Other towns or cities near the epicenter where the quake might have been felt as very weak shaking include Calexico (pop. 40,100) located 21 miles from the epicenter, Santa Isabel (pop. 29,300) 24 miles away, and Coachella (pop. 44,600) 61 miles away.


Earthquake data:
Date & time: May 9, 2026 08:13 pm (GMT -7) local time (10 May 2026 03:13 GMT)
Magnitude: 4.0
Depth: 9.73 km
Epicenter latitude / longitude: 32.97°N / 115.55°W (Imperial County, California, United States)
Primary data source: USGS
https://www.volcanodiscovery.com/earthquake/news/301997/Moderate-40-quake-hits-near-Brawley-Imperial-County-California-USA.html