An earthquake shook the San Francisco Bay Area early Monday morning, waking many people across the region. The quake hit at 2:56 a.m. with a magnitude of 4.3, centered in Berkeley, near the UC Berkeley campus.
This quake was the strongest the Bay Area has seen in three years, surpassing a 5.1 magnitude quake in October 2022, which struck east of San José. Residents felt “light” shaking in places like Berkeley, Oakland, and even as far away as Santa Cruz. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, this intensity often feels like a heavy truck moving nearby.
Fortunately, there were no major damages reported. A few minor incidents included a display window shattering at a butcher shop and some bottles falling off shelves in Oakland. In total, the earthquake stirred dishes and rattled windows but left most things intact.
Following the main quake, a smaller 2.6 magnitude aftershock occurred later that morning. Experts say there is a 4% chance of another similar quake this week, though the likelihood of a more dangerous quake is under 1%.
The quake’s epicenter was near the Hayward Fault, recognized as one of the region’s most concerning seismic zones. Historically, the largest quake on this fault was a 7.0 magnitude event in 1868, which caused significant damage. According to the California Geological Survey, a future quake of similar size could lead to severe consequences, including hundreds of potential fatalities.
Interestingly, technology played a role during this event. The MyShake app, part of a system developed by the U.S. Geological Survey, alerted users before the quake had a chance to shake their homes. Some people reported that their phones notified them just seconds before they felt the tremors, confirming their experiences.
Laura Sonido, a resident of Alameda, described her experience: “It felt strong enough for my windows to rattle. Thankfully, nothing broke, but my mirrored bathroom cabinets swung open.”
The earthquake sparked conversations online. Many social media users shared their experiences, reflecting a mix of fear and relief. This event serves as a reminder of the area’s seismic risks and the importance of emergency preparedness.
To stay informed, you can learn more about earthquake readiness from resources like the California Geological Survey and the USGS.
