Tecopa, CA – A shallow earthquake struck near the California-Nevada border Saturday morning, delivering a quick jolt that could be felt across remote desert highways and small communities south of Death Valley.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the magnitude 3.3 earthquake hit at 5:08 a.m. PST, centered about 26 kilometers south of Tecopa at a depth of just 0.5 kilometers. That extremely shallow depth increases the likelihood of noticeable surface shaking, even with a lower magnitude event.
Drivers along State Route 127 and those near Death Valley Junction may have felt a brief shake, especially in parked vehicles or structures with loose items. No immediate reports of damage or injuries have surfaced, but minor shaking could have rattled windows and shifted unsecured objects.
The California Integrated Seismic Network reports this event as part of ongoing seismic activity common in the Eastern California Shear Zone, a region known for frequent small quakes.
Residents and travelers are advised to remain aware of aftershocks, which can follow within minutes or hours. Officials recommend securing loose items and reviewing basic earthquake safety, especially in sparsely populated desert areas where emergency response times may be longer.
Seismic monitoring continues, and additional updates will be issued if activity increases.
