Shallow M4.3 AFTERSHOCK hit near Indio in The United States on Wednesday Night.

Written by Earthquakelist.org on January 21st, 2026. Last updated January 27th, 2026.

In the night of Wednesday January 21st, 2026, a shallow Magnitude 4.3 aftershock hit under land 12 miles from Indio in The United States. The USGS has indicated there is a potential risk at tsunami's following this earthquake. Another country near the epicenter is Mexico.

Earthquake Summary

The earthquake struck on land in The United States, 12 miles (20 km) north-northeast of Indio in California. The center of this earthquake had a very shallow depth of 2 km. Shallow earthquakes usually have a larger impact than earthquakes deep in the earth.

Date and Time:	Jan 21, 2026 12:30AM (Los Angeles Time) - Jan 21, 2026 08:30 Universal Time.
Location:	12 mi NNE of Indio, California, The United States. Coordinates 33°54'1"N 116°10'13"W.
Map:	Map of area around epicenter. Click to open in Google Maps.
Magnitude:	MAG 4.3 Detected by 26 stations. Maximum Error Range ±0.2 .
Depth:	2 mi (4 km) A very shallow depth.
Max. Intensity:	V Moderate 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 4.3. Earthquakes of this strength are unlikely to trigger a tsunami.	This earthquake occurred at a depth of of 2 mi (4 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 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 12 million people exposed to shaking

This earthquake may have been felt by around 12 million people. That is the expected population size of the area exposed to a level of shaking of II or higher on the Modified Mercalli scale according to the USGS.

An estimated 139,400 people were exposed to level IV. At this level, light shaking and likely no damage can be expected. Intensity level II was experienced by the majority of people (around 11 million). In their region, very weak shaking and no damage can be expected. All exposure to shaking was within the borders of Mexico .

People	MMI Level	Shaking	Damage
8,857,000	I	Not noticable	None
10,930,000	II	Very weak	None
1,011,000	III	Weak	Probably none
139,400	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 struck within proximity of multiple countries. The United States and Mexico are both within 300km distance of its epicenter.

Indio in California, The United States is the nearest significant place from the epicenter. The earthquake occurred 12 miles (20 km) north-northeast of Indio. Indio experienced an earthquake intensity (MMI Scale) of roughly IV. That level implies light shaking and likely no damage.

Multiple major population centers exist within 300km of the earthquake that struck today. Los Angeles is located 119 mi to the west and experienced an intensity of I (not noticeable, no damage). San Diego is located 100 mi to the southwest and experienced an intensity of I (not noticeable, no damage). Tijuana is located 174 km to the south-southwest 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)
12 mi (20 km) SSW from epicenter	Indio California, The United States.	IV Light
15 mi (24 km) S from epicenter	Coachella California, The United States.	IV Light
17 mi (27 km) SW from epicenter	Palm Desert California, The United States.	III Weak
17 mi (28 km) NNE from epicenter	Twentynine Palms California, The United States.	III Weak
18 mi (29 km) SW from epicenter	Rancho Mirage California, The United States.	III Weak
18 mi (29 km) SSW from epicenter	La Quinta California, The United States.	III Weak
19 mi (30 km) WSW from epicenter	Cathedral City California, The United States.	III Weak
20 mi (32 km) WNW from epicenter	Desert Hot Springs California, The United States.	III Weak
21 mi (34 km) NW from epicenter	Yucca Valley California, The United States.	III Weak
22 mi (35 km) WSW from epicenter	Palm Springs California, The United States.	III Weak
40 mi (65 km) W from epicenter	Banning California, The United States.	III Weak
45 mi (73 km) WSW from epicenter	East Hemet California, The United States.	III Weak
46 mi (74 km) W from epicenter	San Jacinto California, The United States.	III Weak
47 mi (75 km) W from epicenter	Beaumont California, The United States.	III Weak
47 mi (76 km) WSW from epicenter	Hemet California, The United States.	III Weak
51 mi (82 km) W from epicenter	Yucaipa California, The United States.	II Weak
57 mi (92 km) WSW from epicenter	Menifee California, The United States.	III Weak
59 mi (95 km) W from epicenter	Redlands California, The United States.	II Weak
60 mi (97 km) WSW from epicenter	Sun City California, The United States.	III Weak
61 mi (98 km) W from epicenter	Moreno Valley California, The United States.	II Weak
62 mi (99 km) WNW from epicenter	Highland California, The United States.	II Weak
62 mi (99 km) W from epicenter	Perris California, The United States.	II Weak
63 mi (101 km) WSW from epicenter	Temecula California, The United States.	III Weak
65 mi (104 km) WSW from epicenter	Murrieta California, The United States.	III Weak
66 mi (106 km) WNW from epicenter	San Bernardino California, The United States.	II Weak
70 mi (113 km) W from epicenter	Riverside California, The United States.	II Weak
70 mi (113 km) W from epicenter	Rialto California, The United States.	II Weak
74 mi (119 km) W from epicenter	Fontana California, The United States.	II Weak
74 mi (119 km) WNW from epicenter	Hesperia California, The United States.	II Weak
75 mi (121 km) SW from epicenter	Escondido California, The United States.	II Weak
78 mi (125 km) SW from epicenter	San Marcos California, The United States.	II Weak
78 mi (125 km) NW from epicenter	Victorville California, The United States.	II Weak
78 mi (126 km) SW from epicenter	Vista California, The United States.	II Weak
80 mi (129 km) W from epicenter	Corona California, The United States.	II Weak
83 mi (133 km) W from epicenter	Rancho Cucamonga California, The United States.	II Weak
85 mi (137 km) SW from epicenter	Carlsbad California, The United States.	II Weak
85 mi (137 km) SW from epicenter	Oceanside California, The United States.	II Weak
86 mi (138 km) W from epicenter	Ontario California, The United States.	II Weak
91 mi (147 km) W from epicenter	Pomona California, The United States.	II Weak
96 mi (155 km) W from epicenter	Irvine California, The United States.	II Weak
156 km (97 mi) SSE from epicenter	Mexicali Baja California, Mexico.	I Not felt
97 mi (156 km) W from epicenter	Orange California, The United States.	II Weak
98 mi (158 km) W from epicenter	Santa Ana California, The United States.	II Weak
100 mi (161 km) SW from epicenter	San Diego California, The United States.	I Not felt
100 mi (161 km) W from epicenter	Anaheim California, The United States.	II Weak
102 mi (164 km) W from epicenter	Garden Grove California, The United States.	II Weak
102 mi (164 km) SSW from epicenter	Chula Vista California, The United States.	I Not felt
106 mi (171 km) W from epicenter	Huntington Beach California, The United States.	II Weak
174 km (108 mi) SSW from epicenter	Tijuana Baja California, Mexico.	I Not felt
116 mi (187 km) W from epicenter	Long Beach California, The United States.	I Not felt
119 mi (192 km) W from epicenter	Los Angeles California, The United States.	I Not felt
121 mi (194 km) SE from epicenter	Yuma Arizona, The United States.	I Not felt
207 km (129 mi) SE from epicenter	San Luis Río Colorado Sonora, Mexico.	I Not felt
168 mi (270 km) NNE from epicenter	Las Vegas Nevada, The United States.

Earthquake Intensity Map

The graph below overlays a map of the region around the epicenter with earthquake intensity data provided by the US Geographic Survey. The highest intensity level detected for this earthquake is IV.

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 2 people

People that feel an earthquake may report their experience to the US Geographic Survey. Currently, 2 people have reported shaking in 2 places in 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:

Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico: 1 person.
Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico: 1 person.

This is likely an aftershock

Approximately 1 day before this earthquake hit, a larger 4.9 magnitude earthquake struck 0.4 mi (0.7 km) south of this one. For that reason, we classify the Mag. 4.3 earthquake as an aftershock.

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 2.8	2 days earlier Jan 18, 2026 03:42AM (Los Angeles Time)	53 mi (86 km) SSE from Main Shock.
Main Shock	M 4.9	Jan 19, 2026 05:56PM (Los Angeles Time)	-
Aftershock	M 3.4	1 min later Jan 19, 2026 05:57PM (Los Angeles Time)	0.4 mi (0.6 km) NNW from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 3.2	1 min later Jan 19, 2026 05:57PM (Los Angeles Time)	0.4 mi (0.7 km) N from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 3.3	2 mins later Jan 19, 2026 05:57PM (Los Angeles Time)	0.3 mi (0.5 km) NNE from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 2.7	3 mins later Jan 19, 2026 05:59PM (Los Angeles Time)	0.4 mi (0.6 km) NE from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 3.1	31 mins later Jan 19, 2026 06:27PM (Los Angeles Time)	0.4 mi (0.6 km) NW from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 3.5	55 mins later Jan 19, 2026 06:50PM (Los Angeles Time)	1.7 mi (2.7 km) S from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 3.3	3 hrs later Jan 19, 2026 08:57PM (Los Angeles Time)	1.5 mi (2.4 km) SW from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 2.5	3 hrs later Jan 19, 2026 09:01PM (Los Angeles Time)	0.2 mi (0.3 km) N from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 2.8	4 hrs later Jan 19, 2026 09:31PM (Los Angeles Time)	0.6 mi (0.9 km) NNW from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 2.8	5 hrs later Jan 19, 2026 11:02PM (Los Angeles Time)	0.8 mi (1.3 km) E from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 2.7	5 hrs later Jan 19, 2026 11:18PM (Los Angeles Time)	1.6 mi (2.6 km) S from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 3.7	6 hrs later Jan 20, 2026 12:20AM (Los Angeles Time)	0.5 mi (0.8 km) NNW from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 3.1	14 hrs later Jan 20, 2026 08:17AM (Los Angeles Time)	0.8 mi (1.3 km) NNW from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 3.8	17 hrs later Jan 20, 2026 10:48AM (Los Angeles Time)	1.6 mi (2.6 km) SW from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 3.4	17 hrs later Jan 20, 2026 11:22AM (Los Angeles Time)	1.4 mi (2.3 km) SW from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 2.8	18 hrs later Jan 20, 2026 11:32AM (Los Angeles Time)	1.5 mi (2.4 km) SW from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 2.5	18 hrs later Jan 20, 2026 12:10PM (Los Angeles Time)	1.7 mi (2.7 km) SW from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 2.8	21 hrs later Jan 20, 2026 03:24PM (Los Angeles Time)	1.7 mi (2.7 km) SSW from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 2.9	22 hrs later Jan 20, 2026 03:52PM (Los Angeles Time)	0.4 mi (0.7 km) NNW from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 2.8	1 day later Jan 20, 2026 08:01PM (Los Angeles Time)	0.6 mi (0.9 km) SW from Main Shock.
Aftershock This Earthquake	M 4.3	1 day later Jan 21, 2026 12:30AM (Los Angeles Time)	0.4 mi (0.7 km) N from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 2.6	1 day later Jan 21, 2026 01:08AM (Los Angeles Time)	0.5 mi (0.8 km) N from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 2.8	2 days later Jan 21, 2026 10:16AM (Los Angeles Time)	0.5 mi (0.8 km) W from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 2.8	2 days later Jan 22, 2026 12:09AM (Los Angeles Time)	38 mi (61 km) SSW from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 2.6	2 days later Jan 22, 2026 12:10AM (Los Angeles Time)	1.7 mi (2.7 km) SW from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 2.6	4 days later Jan 23, 2026 09:28AM (Los Angeles Time)	0.5 mi (0.8 km) SSW from Main Shock.

More earthquakes coming?

Earthquakes can create aftershocks. These are generally at least 1 magnitude lower than any main shock, and as time passes the chance and strength of aftershocks decreases.

It's always adviced to be cautious of the risk of a larger shock following any significant earthquake, however this risk is fairly small. There is a roughly 94 percent change that no larger main shock will follow in the days following this earthquake.

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. In total, 119 earthquakes with a magnitude of 4.3 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 month.

Sources

Last updated 27/01/26 00:08 (). 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.