On this day 42 years ago, on May 2, 1983 (March 20, 1983 lunar calendar), a magnitude 6.5 earthquake struck California, USA. On the afternoon of May 2, 1983, an earthquake measuring 6.5 on the Richter scale struck California, USA. According to the University of California Seismic Test Station, the earthquake was centered near the town of Colinga in central California. 150 buildings were destroyed and 50 people were injured; power lines, gas and water supply lines were cut in Colinga, a town of 7,000 residents, and communication with the outside world was temporarily cut off.