A series of earthquakes has struck California’s Central Coast, centering near Templeton and San Luis Obispo. The US Geological Survey (USGS) reported more than a dozen tremors in the area on November 18, 2025. The seismic activity began with a significant 4.1 magnitude earthquake at 12:54 PM ET, followed by numerous aftershocks, including a minor 2.0 magnitude quake recorded at 6:44 AM ET the following day.
Residents felt the impacts strongly, with local winemaker Brad Ely describing the sensation as if he had been “hit by a truck.” The tremors were felt as far away as Salinas and Lompoc, over 60 miles from the epicenter. Despite the intensity of the quakes, there were no reported injuries or significant property damage, though Ely noted that the larger tremors had toppled bottles and glassware at his winery in Paso Robles.
As of Wednesday morning, the USGS had documented 13 earthquakes in the vicinity, with magnitudes ranging from 1.1 to 4.1. Templeton, situated near the San Andreas Fault, is no stranger to seismic activity, and concerns about a much larger earthquake—often referred to as ‘The Big One’—continue to loom over the region. This fault line is a major source of California’s earthquakes, and experts anticipate that a significant seismic event could occur within the next three decades.
Local resident Paula Scallan recounted her experience during the tremors, stating, “I was in my bedroom, and it felt literally like my roof was going to cave in. It just shook.” Earthquakes of magnitudes between 2.5 and 5.4 are typically felt but tend to cause only minor damage.
Seismometers have been active in detecting aftershocks, although many of the smaller tremors, particularly those below magnitude 2, likely went unnoticed by residents. The initial quake triggered tsunami detectors as far away as Canada, highlighting the quake’s significant reach.
Historically, earthquake swarms can follow substantial seismic events. In July, Southern California experienced numerous quakes, some reaching 4.3 in magnitude. The San Andreas Fault spans approximately 800 miles from Southern California, through the Central Coast and Bay Area, to the northern part of the state. The USGS advises that this fault line has the potential to generate the largest earthquakes in the region, with projections indicating possible magnitudes up to 8.2.
Experts, including Angie Lux, a project scientist for Earthquake Early Warning at the Berkeley Seismology Lab, have stated that the likelihood of a significant earthquake occurring in the next 30 years is high. Simulations have indicated that such an event could result in approximately 1,800 fatalities, 50,000 injuries, and an estimated $200 billion in property damage.
The last major earthquake on the San Andreas Fault occurred in 1857, marking 168 years since a significant rupture. Recent studies have indicated that regions previously considered lower-risk, such as the Central Coast, may also face substantial seismic threats.
As California residents grapple with the aftermath of this recent swarm, the broader implications of these seismic phenomena remain a critical concern for scientists and policymakers alike. The need for preparedness in the face of potential future earthquakes is more pressing than ever.
