Magnitude 3.5 Earthquake Recorded Off Catalina

The quake struck 13 miles from Los Angeles on Sunday evening.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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A magnitude 3.5 earthquake was reported at 9:40 p.m. Sunday 13 miles from Rancho Palos Verdes, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The earthquake occurred at a depth of 6.8 miles.

Why it matters

While a relatively small quake, it serves as a reminder that seismic activity is ongoing in the Greater Los Angeles area, and residents should be prepared for the possibility of a larger, more damaging earthquake in the future.

The details

The earthquake occurred 13 miles from Los Angeles, 14 miles from Palos Verdes Estates, 14 miles from Rolling Hills Estates and 14 miles from Avalon. In the last 10 days, there has been one earthquake of magnitude 3.0 or greater centered nearby. An average of five earthquakes with magnitudes of 3.0 to 4.0 occur per year in the Greater Los Angeles area, according to a recent three-year data sample.

  • The earthquake occurred at 9:40 p.m. on Sunday, February 22, 2026.

The players

U.S. Geological Survey

The U.S. Geological Survey is a scientific agency of the United States government that studies the landscape of the United States, its natural resources, and the natural hazards that threaten it.

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What’s next

Residents are encouraged to sign up for the Unshaken newsletter from the Los Angeles Times, which provides bite-sized steps for emergency preparedness in the event of a major earthquake.

The takeaway

This earthquake serves as a reminder that seismic activity is ongoing in the Greater Los Angeles area, and residents should take steps to prepare for the possibility of a larger, more damaging earthquake in the future.