Shallow M4.9 Earthquake hit near Mexicali in Mexico on Tuesday Morning.

Written by Earthquakelist.org on November 3rd, 2026. Last updated November 4th, 2026.

In the morning of Tuesday November 3rd, 2026, a shallow Magnitude 4.9 earthquake hit under land 34 kilometer from Mexicali in Mexico. Roughly 1.7 million people may have felt this earthquake. The United States is also near its epicenter.

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Earthquake Summary

The earthquake struck on land in Mexico, 34 kilometer (21 mi) south-east of Mexicali in Baja California. The center of this earthquake had a very shallow depth of 16 km. Shallow earthquakes usually have a larger impact than earthquakes deep in the earth.

Date and Time:	Nov 3, 2026 10:27 (Tijuana Time) - Nov 3, 2026 18:27 Universal Time.
Location:	34 km SE of Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico. Coordinates 32°25'51"N 115°10'47"W.
Map:	Map of area around epicenter. Click to open in Google Maps.
Magnitude:	MAG 4.9 Detected by 12 stations. Maximum Error Range ±0.2 .
Depth:	16 km (10 mi) A very shallow depth.
Max. Intensity:	V Moderate On the Modified Mercalli Scale.
Tsunami Risk:	Tsunami very unlikely While this was a shallow earthquake, it appears to have occurred under land with a magnitude 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 90% likelyhood of between 0 and 1 fatalities.

The USGS classifies the economic impact of this earthquake at level GREEN (low). They expect an 90% likelyhood of between 0 and 1 million US Dollars in economic damage and impact.

Roughly 1.7 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 1.7 million have been exposed to shaking at an MMI level of II or higher.

Moderate shaking and very light damage may have been experienced by an estimated 100,700 people. At V, it is the highest MMI level this earthquake has caused. Intensity level IV was experienced by the majority of people (around 1.3 million). In their region, light shaking and likely no damage can be expected. All exposure to shaking was within the borders of Mexico .

Nearby towns and cities

This earthquake struck within proximity of multiple countries. Mexico and The United States are both within 300km distance of its epicenter.

Located 17 kilometer (11 mi) northwest of the epicenter of this earthquake, Guadalupe Victoria (Baja California, Mexico) is the nearest significant population center. The intensity of shaking and damage in Guadalupe Victoria is estimated to be around level IV on the Modified Mercalli Intensity scale (light shaking, likely no damage).

Multiple large cities are in proximity of today's earthquake. Mexicali is located 34 km to the northwest and experienced an intensity of IV (light shaking, likely no damage). Tijuana is located 171 km to the west and experienced an intensity of II (very weak shaking, no damage). San Diego is located 117 mi to the west and experienced an intensity of II (very weak shaking, no damage).

The table below provides an overview of all places in proximity of today's earthquake. Where available, the estimated intensity on the Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale in each place is included. Places where this information is omitted likely experienced little impact.

Overview of nearby places

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

2 Aftershocks detected

This main shock was followed by 2 smaller aftershocks. At a distance of 2.5 km (1.6 mi) south-east of this earthquake, an aftershock struck 51 mins later. It measured a magnitude of 3

This main shock was prefaced by 6 smaller foreshocks. Nearby this earthquake a foreshock struck 10 mins earlier. It measured a magnitude of 3.4

Overview of foreshocks and aftershocks

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.

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

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 January 20th, 2026, when a 4.9 magnitude earthquake hit 187 km (116 mi) further northwest. An even stronger magnitude 6.2 earthquake struck on November 22nd, 2022.

In total, 14 earthquakes with a magnitude of 4.9 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 9 months.

Tsunami very unlikely

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

Sources

Last updated 04/11/26 05:58 (). 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.

1. US Geographic Society (USGS): Earthquake ci41572064
2. European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC): Earthquake 20261103_0000259
3. Geonames.org: World Cities Database
4. Google Maps: Static API
5. Earthquakelist.org: Historic Earthquakes Database

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