Brawley Struck by Swarm of Over 350 Earthquakes in 24 Hours, Moderate Damage Reported.

BRAWLEY, Calif. — A powerful earthquake swarm rattled the Brawley area Monday night into Tuesday morning, with more than 350 earthquakes reported in less than 24 hours across the region.

A 4.5 magnitude earthquake struck near Brawley at approximately 8:39 p.m. Monday night, following the start of the earthquake swarm that began roughly four hours earlier. Several smaller earthquakes followed before an even stronger 4.7 magnitude earthquake struck approximately 3 kilometers west of Brawley around four hours later.

As of 11:22 a.m. Tuesday, approximately 356 earthquakes had been recorded in the area, making it one of the most active earthquake swarms reported in the Imperial Valley in recent years.

The earthquakes reportedly caused minor damage across parts of Brawley, including stores, local businesses, broken water lines, and small road cracks. Gas pumps at some local gas stations were also reportedly shut off following the earthquakes.

According to the United States Geological Survey, both the 4.5 and 4.7 magnitude earthquakes were issued Green alerts, indicating a low likelihood of fatalities or significant economic losses. Smaller earthquakes continued to be reported as of publication on May 12, 2026.

The earthquake swarm serves as a reminder that the Imperial Valley is located within a highly active seismic region where earthquake swarms are relatively common. Similar earthquake activity has occurred in the region in previous years, including 2012, 2024, and 2025.

Preliminary observations suggest the orientation of the current swarm appears similar to the 2012 Brawley earthquake sequence, although significantly less severe so far. Experts say residents should continue to expect occasional jolts as the swarm continues.

According to the USGS, the region is largely made up of structures resistant to earthquake shaking, though some vulnerable building types remain, including unreinforced brick masonry and reinforced masonry construction. The agency also noted that earthquakes in the region can sometimes trigger secondary hazards such as liquefaction and landslides.

Father Bernardo Lara, who oversees Catholic churches in Brawley and Westmorland, said several statues inside the church were damaged during the earthquakes, including the church’s main cross, which reportedly broke in half.

“At this point I am going to call the Diocese and just wait for their instructions. I will try to keep the regular parish life as normal as possible within our limitations. All I am glad is that it was just material damage; things come and go,” Lara said in a statement provided to 760 News Media.

Due to the damage, Mass the following day was moved to the Parish Hall.

Meanwhile, Ciudad Plaza, A shopping center/apartment complex, reportedly sustained significant damage, including broken water pipes that led to evacuations for some residents.

Officials continue to urge residents to remain prepared, stay aware, and maintain emergency plans in the event of a larger earthquake. While no major earthquakes are currently expected, officials note there is always a possibility of additional seismic activity in the region.