On Monday Morning a Shallow M5.2 Earthquake struck near San Diego in The United States.

Written by Earthquakelist.org on April 14th, 2025. Last updated April 28th, 2025.

In the morning of Monday April 14th, 2025, a shallow and significant MAG-5.2 earthquake hit under land 40 miles from San Diego in The United States. The earthquake struck near a very densely populated region. The USGS has indicated there is a potential risk at tsunami's following this earthquake. Mexico is also near its epicenter.

Earthquake Summary

The earthquake struck on land in The United States, 40 miles (64 km) north-east of San Diego in California. The center of this earthquake had a very shallow depth of 9 km. Shallow earthquakes usually have a larger impact than earthquakes deep in the earth.

Date and Time:	Apr 14, 2025 10:08AM (Los Angeles Time) - Apr 14, 2025 17:08 Universal Time.
Location:	40 mi NE of San Diego, California, The United States. Coordinates 33°2'9"N 116°35'41"W.
Map:	Map of area around epicenter. Click to open in Google Maps.
Magnitude:	MAG 5.2 Detected by 14 stations. Maximum Error Range ±0.2 .
Depth:	9 mi (14 km) A very shallow depth.
Max. Intensity:	VII Very Strong On the Modified Mercalli Scale.
Tsunami Risk:	Potential tsunami risk The USGS has indicated there is a potential risk at tsunami's following this earthquake. Always stay cautious - More info here.

Potential tsunami risk

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.

There is a potential tsunami risk in the aftermath of this earthquake, immediately evacuate to higher grounds away from coastal areas and monitor advice from local authorities. The US Geographic Survey organization has indicated a potential risk for tsunami's following this earthquake.

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	Not this earthquake. This earthquake appears to have struck on land far from any coast.	Not this earthquake. This earthquake had a magnitude of 5.2. Earthquakes of this strength are unlikely to trigger a tsunami.	This earthquake occurred at a depth of of 9 mi (14 km). Earthquakes this shallow could trigger a tsunami.

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 65% likelyhood of between 0 and 1 fatalities, and a 96% 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 100% likelyhood of between 0 and 1 million US Dollars in economic damage and impact.

Roughly 26 million people exposed to shaking

An estimated 26 million have been exposed to shaking (An MMI or Modified Mercalli Intensity level II or higher) as a result of this earthquake according scientific estimates published by the USGS.

Strong shaking and probably light damage may have been experienced by an estimated 8,480 people. At VI, it is the highest MMI level this earthquake has caused. Intensity level III was experienced by a large group of people (around 11 million). In their region, weak shaking and probably no damage can be expected. All exposure to shaking was within the borders of Mexico .

People	MMI Level	Shaking	Damage
5,980	I	Not noticable	None
6,978,000	II	Very weak	None
10,830,000	III	Weak	Probably none
7,667,000	IV	Light	Likely none
276,600	V	Moderate	Very light
8,480	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 struck within proximity of multiple countries. The United States and Mexico are both within 300km distance of its epicenter.

Ramona in California, The United States is the nearest significant place from the epicenter. The earthquake occurred 16 miles (25 km) east of Ramona. The intensity of shaking and damage in Ramona is estimated to be around level V on the Modified Mercalli Intensity scale (moderate shaking, very light damage).

Major cities near this earthquake: San Diego is located 40 mi to the southwest and experienced an intensity of IV (light shaking, likely no damage). Los Angeles is located 118 mi to the northwest and experienced an intensity of II (very weak shaking, no damage). Tijuana is located 71 km to the south-southwest and experienced an intensity of IV (light shaking, likely 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)
16 mi (25 km) W from epicenter	Ramona California, The United States.	V Moderate
22 mi (36 km) SW from epicenter	Lakeside California, The United States.	V Moderate
24 mi (39 km) SW from epicenter	Winter Gardens California, The United States.	V Moderate
25 mi (41 km) SW from epicenter	Bostonia California, The United States.	V Moderate
26 mi (42 km) WSW from epicenter	Santee California, The United States.	V Moderate
26 mi (42 km) WSW from epicenter	Poway California, The United States.	IV Light
27 mi (44 km) SW from epicenter	El Cajon California, The United States.	V Moderate
28 mi (45 km) SW from epicenter	Rancho San Diego California, The United States.	V Moderate
29 mi (46 km) SW from epicenter	Casa de Oro-Mount Helix California, The United States.	IV Light
29 mi (47 km) W from epicenter	Escondido California, The United States.	IV Light
30 mi (49 km) W from epicenter	Rancho Penasquitos California, The United States.	IV Light
31 mi (50 km) SW from epicenter	Spring Valley California, The United States.	IV Light
31 mi (50 km) SW from epicenter	La Mesa California, The United States.	IV Light
32 mi (52 km) SW from epicenter	Lemon Grove California, The United States.	IV Light
32 mi (52 km) SW from epicenter	La Presa California, The United States.	IV Light
52 km (32 mi) S from epicenter	Tecate Baja California, Mexico.	IV Light
33 mi (53 km) WSW from epicenter	Mira Mesa California, The United States.	IV Light
34 mi (55 km) WNW from epicenter	San Marcos California, The United States.	IV Light
39 mi (62 km) SW from epicenter	National City California, The United States.	IV Light
39 mi (63 km) WNW from epicenter	Vista California, The United States.	IV Light
39 mi (63 km) SW from epicenter	Chula Vista California, The United States.	IV Light
40 mi (64 km) SW from epicenter	San Diego California, The United States.	IV Light
65 km (40 mi) SSW from epicenter	Terrazas del Valle Baja California, Mexico.	IV Light
40 mi (65 km) W from epicenter	Encinitas California, The United States.	III Weak
42 mi (67 km) WSW from epicenter	La Jolla California, The United States.	IV Light
42 mi (67 km) SW from epicenter	Coronado California, The United States.	IV Light
43 mi (70 km) SW from epicenter	Imperial Beach California, The United States.	IV Light
71 km (44 mi) SSW from epicenter	Tijuana Baja California, Mexico.	IV Light
45 mi (72 km) WNW from epicenter	Fallbrook California, The United States.	IV Light
45 mi (72 km) NW from epicenter	Temecula California, The United States.	IV Light
45 mi (72 km) W from epicenter	Carlsbad California, The United States.	III Weak
47 mi (75 km) WNW from epicenter	Oceanside California, The United States.	IV Light
47 mi (75 km) NNE from epicenter	La Quinta California, The United States.	IV Light
76 km (47 mi) SSW from epicenter	Rancho La Gloria Baja California, Mexico.	IV Light
78 km (48 mi) SSW from epicenter	Pórticos de San Antonio Baja California, Mexico.	IV Light
49 mi (79 km) NNE from epicenter	Palm Desert California, The United States.	IV Light
50 mi (81 km) NW from epicenter	Murrieta California, The United States.	IV Light
51 mi (82 km) NNE from epicenter	Coachella California, The United States.	IV Light
52 mi (84 km) N from epicenter	Cathedral City California, The United States.	IV Light
52 mi (84 km) NNE from epicenter	Indio California, The United States.	IV Light
86 km (53 mi) SSW from epicenter	Rosarito Baja California, Mexico.	IV Light
54 mi (87 km) NNW from epicenter	Hemet California, The United States.	IV Light
55 mi (88 km) N from epicenter	Palm Springs California, The United States.	IV Light
55 mi (89 km) NW from epicenter	Wildomar California, The United States.	IV Light
56 mi (90 km) NNW from epicenter	San Jacinto California, The United States.	IV Light
57 mi (92 km) NW from epicenter	Menifee California, The United States.	IV Light
61 mi (98 km) NW from epicenter	Lake Elsinore California, The United States.	III Weak
62 mi (100 km) ESE from epicenter	El Centro California, The United States.	III Weak
116 km (72 mi) ESE from epicenter	Mexicali Baja California, Mexico.	IV Light
78 mi (126 km) NW from epicenter	Riverside California, The United States.	III Weak
182 km (113 mi) ESE from epicenter	San Luis Río Colorado Sonora, Mexico.	III Weak
116 mi (187 km) E from epicenter	Yuma Arizona, The United States.	II Weak
118 mi (190 km) NW from epicenter	Los Angeles California, The United States.	II Weak

Earthquake Intensity Map

The intensity in shaking and damage by this earthquake is illustrated through the map below. The highest intensity measured for this earthquake is VI.

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.

Shaking reported by 120 people

People that feel an earthquake may report their experience to the US Geographic Survey. Currently, 120 people have reported shaking in 12 places, all within Mexico.We keep updating this article as more ground reports become available. You may report that you felt this earthquake here.

Places with most reports:

Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico: 47 people.
La Joya, Baja California, Mexico: 33 people.
Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico: 10 people.
Rosarito, Baja California, Mexico: 6 people.
Maneadero, Baja California, Mexico: 5 people.
Puebla, Baja California, Mexico: 5 people.
Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico: 4 people.
Primo Tapia, Baja California, Mexico: 4 people.
El Sauzal, Baja California, Mexico: 2 people.
Tecate, Baja California, Mexico: 2 people.

12 Aftershocks detected

After this earthquake struck, 12 smaller aftershocks occurred. Just 1 hr after this main shock, an earthquake measuring MAG-4 was detected 0.4 mi (0.6 km) north-northeast of this earthquake.

This main shock was prefaced by 1 smaller foreshock. Roughly 18 hrs before this earthquake, a foreshock measuring MAG-3.3 was detected nearby this earthquake.

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
Foreshock	M 3.3	18 hrs earlier Apr 13, 2025 03:54PM (Los Angeles Time)	0.1 mi (0.2 km) SW from Main Shock.
Main Shock This Earthquake	M 5.2	Apr 14, 2025 10:08AM (Los Angeles Time)	-
Aftershock	M 2.8	2 mins later Apr 14, 2025 10:10AM (Los Angeles Time)	1.5 mi (2.4 km) NW from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 2.8	2 mins later Apr 14, 2025 10:10AM (Los Angeles Time)	2.7 mi (4 km) NNW from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 2.5	2 mins later Apr 14, 2025 10:10AM (Los Angeles Time)	2.9 mi (5 km) NNW from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 2.5	2 mins later Apr 14, 2025 10:10AM (Los Angeles Time)	0.5 mi (0.8 km) ENE from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 2.6	4 mins later Apr 14, 2025 10:12AM (Los Angeles Time)	1.1 mi (1.7 km) NNW from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 3.5	4 mins later Apr 14, 2025 10:12AM (Los Angeles Time)	22 mi (35 km) NE from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 3.0	5 mins later Apr 14, 2025 10:13AM (Los Angeles Time)	0.2 mi (0.4 km) NNW from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 2.6	6 mins later Apr 14, 2025 10:14AM (Los Angeles Time)	1 mi (1.6 km) NNW from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 4.0	1 hr later Apr 14, 2025 11:23AM (Los Angeles Time)	0.4 mi (0.6 km) NNE from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 2.6	2 hrs later Apr 14, 2025 12:34PM (Los Angeles Time)	0.2 mi (0.3 km) NE from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 2.9	3 hrs later Apr 14, 2025 01:23PM (Los Angeles Time)	0.2 mi (0.4 km) N from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 2.5	3 days later Apr 17, 2025 03:13AM (Los Angeles Time)	30 mi (48 km) N from Main Shock.

More earthquakes coming?

The risk of aftershocks decreases rapidly over time. Usually, aftershocks are at least one order of magnitude lower than a main shock.

In only six percent of cases, significant earthquakes are followed by a larger main shock, making the current earthquake a foreshock. While the chance of this happening is not so large, it is adviced to maintain cautiousness in the hours and days following a major earthquake.

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

Earthquakes like this are common in the region

Earthquakes of this strength occur quite regularly in the region. This is the strongest earthquake to hit since November 22nd, 2022, when a 6.2 magnitude earthquake hit 155 mi (250 km) further south. That was also the heaviest earthquake to hit the region in the past 10 years.

In total, 4 earthquakes with a magnitude of 5.2 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 3 years.

Sources

Last updated 28/04/25 00:18 (). This article is automatically generated based on available data. We keep checking multiple sources for additional information. This article gets updated as new details on this earthquake become available.