On Friday Afternoon a Shallow M4.0 Earthquake struck near Oxnard in The United States.

Written by Earthquakelist.org on November 3rd, 2023. Last updated December 3rd, 2023.

In the early afternoon of Friday November 3rd, 2023, a shallow MAG-4.0 earthquake hit under land 16 miles from Oxnard in The United States. The earthquake struck near a very densely populated region. Around 1.4 million people have been exposed to shaking.

Earthquake Summary

The earthquake struck on land in The United States, 16 miles (25 km) north of Oxnard in California. The center of this earthquake had a very shallow depth of 4 km. Shallow earthquakes usually have a larger impact than earthquakes deep in the earth.

Date and Time:	Nov 3, 2023 01:12PM (Los Angeles Time) - Nov 3, 2023 20:12 Universal Time.
Location:	16 mi north of Oxnard, California, The United States. Coordinates 34°25'17"N 119°10'11"W.
Map:	Map of area around epicenter. Click to open in Google Maps.
Magnitude:	MAG 4.0 Detected by 30 stations. Maximum Error Range ±0.2 .
Depth:	4 mi (7 km) A very shallow depth.
Max. Intensity:	V Moderate On the Modified Mercalli Scale.
Tsunami Risk:	Tsunami very unlikely While this was a shallow earthquake in a coastal area, it appears to have occurred under land (12 mi from the sea) with a magnitude that is usually not strong enough to cause tsunami's. Always stay cautious - More info here.

Minimal impact predicted

Based on scientific estimates by the US Geographic Survey (USGS), the risk of high fatalities for this earthquake is classified at level GREEN (low). They expect an 69% likelyhood of between 0 and 1 fatalities, and a 98% chance that the number of fatalities falls no higher than 10.

The USGS classifies the economic impact of this earthquake at level GREEN (low). They expect an 65% likelyhood of between 0 and 1 million US Dollars in economic damage and impact, and a 96% chance that the economic impact of this earthquake falls no higher than 10 million USD.

Roughly 1.4 million people exposed to shaking

The USGS has published a report estimating the number of people exposed to this earthquake. Acoording to their analysis, roughly 1.4 million have been exposed to shaking at an MMI level of II or higher.

The highest earthquake impact level for this earthquake is IV, which corresponds with light shaking and likely no damage. Roughly 48,580 people are expected to be exposed to this level. Intensity level I was experienced by the majority of people (around 23 million). In their region, not noticeable and no damage can be expected.

People	MMI Level	Shaking	Damage
22,530,000	I	Not noticable	None
843,200	II	Very weak	None
497,400	III	Weak	Probably none
48,580	IV	Light	Likely none
0	V	Moderate	Very light
0	VI	Strong	Light
0	VII	Very Strong	Moderate
0	VIII	Severe	Moderate to heavy
0	IX	Violent	Heavy
0	X	Extreme	Very heavy

Nearby towns and cities

This earthquake may have been felt in The United States . Santa Paula in California, The United States is the nearest significant place from the epicenter. The earthquake occurred 8 miles (13 km) northwest of Santa Paula. Santa Paula experienced an earthquake intensity (MMI Scale) of roughly III. That level implies weak shaking and probably no damage.

Multiple major population centers exist within 300km of the earthquake that struck today. Los Angeles is located 59 mi to the east-southeast and experienced an intensity of I (not noticeable, no damage). Oxnard is located 16 mi to the south and experienced an intensity of III (weak shaking, probably no damage). San Diego is located 165 mi to the south-east and experienced an intensity of I (not noticeable, no damage).

A complete list of nearby places is included below. Estimated intensity data (MMI) sourced from a shake-map published by the US Geographic Survey is shown where available (cities without data probably experienced little impact).

Overview of nearby places

Cities and Towns around the epicenter of this earthquake.
Distance	Place	Intensity (MMI)
8 mi (13 km) SE from epicenter	Santa Paula California, The United States.	III Weak
12 mi (20 km) SW from epicenter	Ventura California, The United States.	IV Light
14 mi (23 km) E from epicenter	Fillmore California, The United States.	II Weak
16 mi (25 km) S from epicenter	Oxnard California, The United States.	III Weak
16 mi (26 km) SSE from epicenter	Camarillo California, The United States.	III Weak
19 mi (30 km) ESE from epicenter	Moorpark California, The United States.	II Weak
19 mi (31 km) S from epicenter	Port Hueneme California, The United States.	III Weak
24 mi (39 km) ESE from epicenter	Simi Valley California, The United States.	II Weak
25 mi (41 km) SE from epicenter	Thousand Oaks California, The United States.	II Weak
30 mi (48 km) SE from epicenter	Agoura Hills California, The United States.	I Not felt
30 mi (48 km) W from epicenter	Santa Barbara California, The United States.	III Weak
31 mi (50 km) SE from epicenter	Agoura California, The United States.	II Weak
32 mi (51 km) E from epicenter	Castaic California, The United States.	I Not felt
32 mi (51 km) E from epicenter	Valencia California, The United States.	II Weak
34 mi (54 km) ESE from epicenter	West Hills California, The United States.	I Not felt
34 mi (55 km) ESE from epicenter	Chatsworth California, The United States.	II Weak
34 mi (55 km) E from epicenter	Stevenson Ranch California, The United States.	I Not felt
35 mi (57 km) ESE from epicenter	Calabasas California, The United States.	II Weak
36 mi (58 km) ESE from epicenter	Canoga Park California, The United States.	II Weak
36 mi (58 km) E from epicenter	Santa Clarita California, The United States.	II Weak
37 mi (59 km) ESE from epicenter	Woodland Hills California, The United States.	II Weak
37 mi (60 km) W from epicenter	Goleta California, The United States.	III Weak
39 mi (62 km) ESE from epicenter	Northridge California, The United States.	II Weak
40 mi (64 km) E from epicenter	Canyon Country California, The United States.	I Not felt
41 mi (66 km) ESE from epicenter	North Hills California, The United States.	II Weak
42 mi (68 km) ESE from epicenter	Encino California, The United States.	I Not felt
44 mi (71 km) ESE from epicenter	Valley Glen California, The United States.	II Weak
44 mi (71 km) ESE from epicenter	Van Nuys California, The United States.	II Weak
45 mi (73 km) ESE from epicenter	Sherman Oaks California, The United States.	I Not felt
48 mi (77 km) SE from epicenter	Santa Monica California, The United States.	I Not felt
48 mi (78 km) ESE from epicenter	North Hollywood California, The United States.	I Not felt
50 mi (81 km) SE from epicenter	Venice California, The United States.	I Not felt
50 mi (81 km) ESE from epicenter	Universal City California, The United States.	I Not felt
52 mi (83 km) ESE from epicenter	Burbank California, The United States.	I Not felt
53 mi (85 km) ESE from epicenter	Hollywood California, The United States.	I Not felt
56 mi (90 km) ESE from epicenter	Koreatown California, The United States.	I Not felt
56 mi (90 km) ESE from epicenter	Glendale California, The United States.	I Not felt
57 mi (91 km) SE from epicenter	Inglewood California, The United States.	I Not felt
58 mi (94 km) SE from epicenter	Hawthorne California, The United States.	I Not felt
59 mi (95 km) ESE from epicenter	Los Angeles California, The United States.	I Not felt
60 mi (96 km) SE from epicenter	Redondo Beach California, The United States.	I Not felt
61 mi (98 km) E from epicenter	Palmdale California, The United States.	I Not felt
62 mi (99 km) SE from epicenter	Gardena California, The United States.	I Not felt
62 mi (99 km) ESE from epicenter	Florence-Graham California, The United States.	I Not felt
62 mi (99 km) ESE from epicenter	Pasadena California, The United States.	I Not felt
62 mi (99 km) ESE from epicenter	Boyle Heights California, The United States.	I Not felt
62 mi (99 km) ENE from epicenter	Lancaster California, The United States.	I Not felt
62 mi (100 km) SE from epicenter	Torrance California, The United States.	I Not felt
62 mi (100 km) ESE from epicenter	Huntington Park California, The United States.	I Not felt
66 mi (107 km) N from epicenter	Bakersfield California, The United States.	I Not felt
72 mi (116 km) SE from epicenter	Long Beach California, The United States.	I Not felt
293 km (182 mi) SE from epicenter	Tijuana Baja California, Mexico.

Earthquake Intensity Map

The maximum intensity (MMI Scale) caused by this earthquake is V. The map below shows in which areas this earthquake was the most and least impactful. It is based on data from the US Geographic Survey.

I Not felt

II Weak

III Weak

IV Light

V Moderate

VI Strong

VII Very Strong

VIII Severe

IX Violent

X Extreme

Earthquake Intensity Map based on Shakemap Data provided by USGS.

Aftershocks detected

After this earthquake struck, 1 smaller aftershock occurred. At a distance of 0.5 mi (0.8 km) south-southeast of this earthquake, an aftershock struck 2 days later. It measured a magnitude of 2.9

Overview of foreshocks and aftershocks

Detected MAG2.5+ earthquakes within within 100km (62 mi), that occurred in the three days before and after the main shock.
Classification	Magnitude	When	Where
Main Shock This Earthquake	M 4.0	Nov 3, 2023 01:12PM (Los Angeles Time)	-
Aftershock	M 2.9	2 days later Nov 5, 2023 02:01AM (Los Angeles Time)	0.5 mi (0.8 km) SSE from Main Shock.

More earthquakes coming?

Aftershocks are usually at least 1 order of magnitude less strong than main shocks. The more time passes, the smaller the chance and likely strength of any potential aftershocks.

The chance that a significant earthquake like this one is followed by an even larger earthquake is not so large. On average, scientists estimate a 94% chance that a major earthquake will not be followed by an even larger one. It is still adviced to be aware of this risk

Read: How to Stay Safe during an Earthquake (cdc.gov).

Earthquakes like this happen often in the region

Earthquakes of this strength are very common in the region. This is the strongest earthquake to hit since August 20th, 2023, when a 5.1 magnitude earthquake hit 1.4 mi (2.2 km) further southwest. An even stronger magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck on July 6th, 2019.

In total, 201 earthquakes with a magnitude of 4 or higher have been registered within 300km (186 mi) of this epicenter in the past 10 years. This comes down to an average of once every 18 days.

Tsunami very unlikely

DISCLAIMER: We strongly suggest to closely monitor advice from local authorities with regards to tsunami risks. Our analysis is based on automatically collected data from external sources, and these might contain mistakes. In addition, earthquakes can cause landslides that may lead to a tsunami, or be a followed by another, potentially stonger, earthquake.

While MAG-6.5+ earthquakes may cause tsunami's, it appears that the epicenter of this earthquake hit under land. In addition, the reported depth is deeper than 100km, making the risk of a tsunami even less likely. However always stay cautious and monitor advice from local authorities.

Tsunami Risk Factors

Factor	Under Sea?	MAG-6.5 or stronger?	Shallow depth?
Explanation	Almost all tsunami's are caused by earthquakes with their epicenter under sea or very near the sea. However stay cautious in coastal areas as earthquakes on land may cause landslides into sea, potentially still causing a local tsunami.	Under MAG 6.5: Very unlikely to cause a tsunami. MAG 6.5 to 7.5: Destructive tsunami's do occur, but are uncommon. Likely to observe small sea level changes. MAG 7.6+: Earthquakes with these magnitudes might produce destructive tsunami's.	Most destructive tsunami's are caused by shallow earthquakes with a depth between 0 and 100km under the surface of the earth. Deeper tsunami's are unlikely to displace to ocean floor.
This Earthquake	This earthquake appears to have struck on land near a coastal area (12 mi from the sea).	Not this earthquake. This earthquake had a magnitude of 4. Earthquakes of this strength are unlikely to trigger a tsunami.	This earthquake occurred at a depth of of 4 mi (7 km). Earthquakes this shallow could trigger a tsunami.

Sources

Last updated 03/12/23 01:48 (). This article contains currently available information about the earthquake and is automatically composed. We continue to update this article up to a few days after the earthquake occurred.