Updated 2026-04-06 17:37:13 UTC

M 5.3 — 5km NNW of Brawley, CA

Magnitude 5.3, depth 8.3 km, 2012-08-26 19:31:23 UTC.

MagnitudeM 5.3
Depth8.3 km
Felt reports3050
Statusreviewed
TsunamiNo
Quake Pulse Activity Index

Activity trend

A high index means recent activity is high relative to the selected historical baseline. It does not mean that a larger earthquake is about to occur.

Quake Pulse Activity Index84/100Elevated
Current 30 days18
Historical monthly median11.0
Historical percentileP84
M5+ in 30 days6
M6+ in 30 days0
Activity trendabove the historical median (+64%)
Baseline months: 60Last calculation: 2026-09-03 06:17:39How the index works →
Quake Pulse

What to know

A short factual reading of this event from the available observations.

  • Magnitude M 5.3 at 8.3 km depth.
  • 3,050 felt report(s) are associated with the USGS record.
  • The available PAGER level is YELLOW.
Counts describe detected earthquakes and are not a forecast or hazard assessment.
Quake Pulse

Within the Quake Pulse database

Long-term comparisons are more robust at higher magnitudes because small-earthquake detection capability has changed over time.

Magnitude rank in database#16,862
Magnitude rank in country#658
M4.5+ within 250 km, ±15 days5
Remarkable

Why this event stands out

many felt reports · PAGER level · high USGS significance

36/100
Quake Pulse

Impact and context

Descriptive indicators available for this event and its surroundings.

52/100High context
Felt reports3,050
Max felt intensity (CDI)5.8
Instrumental intensity (MMI)6.8
PAGER alertYELLOW
Tsunami indicator—
USGS significance1,230
Depth contextShallow
Nearby major cityLos Angeles275 km · 3,820,000

Nearby major city

Displayed population is the indexed city population, not an estimate of people exposed.

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These indicators describe data available after detection. They are neither a forecast nor a direct estimate of damage or individual risk.

Quake Pulse

Around this epicenter

Nearby events observed around this epicenter. Spatial proximity does not necessarily mean they belong to the same sequence.

M 5.3 · 5km NNW of Brawley, CA · 100 kmInteractive 3D view of earthquakes within 100 km of M 5.3 · 5km NNW of Brawley, CA.M 5.3 · 5km NNW of Brawley, CAM 4.9 · 5km NNE of Brawley, CA · 3.2 kmM 4.6 · 6km N of Brawley, CA · 2.5 kmM 5.4 · 4km NNW of Brawley, CA · 1.3 kmM 4.9 · 5km NW of Brawley, CA · 0.7 kmM 4.6 · 4km N of Brawley, CA · 1.6 km
M 5.3 · 5km NNW of Brawley, CA100 km5 Recent earthquakes

Descriptive map centered on the epicenter; it does not represent felt intensity or risk.

Sequence context

No public sequence is currently associated with this event.

Nearby events · 100 km

Quake Pulse

USGS data evolution

Earthquake parameters can be revised after first publication. This timeline shows versions retained by Quake Pulse.

Revisions1
Magnitude change+0.0M 5.3 → M 5.3
Depth change+0.0 km
Last update269128 min
2026-04-06 17:37:13 UTC2026-04-06 17:37:13 UTC

Explore related context

Putting this earthquake in context

An earthquake record can change after the first automatic publication as additional stations contribute data and analysts refine the solution.

Interpret the numbers

Magnitude, depth, felt reports and status describe different parts of the event. None of them alone predicts the consequences for a specific city.

Important limits

If the earthquake creates a safety concern, follow local authorities and official warning channels rather than relying on a public data website.

Read the methodology →

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