An earthquake of magnitude 3.0 occurred in the morning on Friday 12 February 2021 at 9:07 am local time near Soledad, Monterey 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 5 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.
Our monitoring service identified a second report from the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) which listed the quake at magnitude 3.0 as well.
Towns or cities near the epicenter where the quake might have been felt as very weak shaking include Soledad (pop. 25,000) located 13 miles from the epicenter. In Greenfield (pop. 17,200, 18 miles away), Hollister (pop. 37,500, 23 miles away), Salinas (pop. 157,400, 27 miles away), Gilroy (pop. 53,200, 37 miles away), and Watsonville (pop. 53,600, 40 miles away), the quake was probably not felt.
Earthquake data:
https://www.volcanodiscovery.com/earthquake/news/121679/Small-earthquake-of-magnitude-30-just-reported-13-miles-northeast-of-Soledad-California-United-State.html