UPDATE: Two significant earthquakes rattled the Bay Area near Santa Rosa just this afternoon, sending shockwaves through the region. The first quake, measuring 4.0 on the Richter scale, struck at 3:30 p.m., located just three miles from Santa Rosa, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). This was swiftly followed by a 3.1 magnitude tremor occurring at 3:38 p.m., just two miles from the city.
These quakes are particularly alarming as they occurred in a densely populated area, with the larger quake also being felt in nearby cities — Petaluma is just four miles away, while Sonoma and Napa are situated seven and thirteen miles from the epicenter, respectively. The second quake, with a depth of 1.4 miles, also raised concerns among residents.
In the last ten days, this marks the second earthquake of magnitude 3.0 or greater in the vicinity, heightening awareness of seismic activity in Northern California. The average rate of earthquakes in California and Nevada shows that there are typically around 25 quakes of magnitude 4.0 to 5.0 each year, based on a recent three-year data sample.
Authorities are urging residents to remain vigilant and report any tremors felt during these events to the USGS. If you experienced these earthquakes, please contribute your observations to help track seismic activity.
As the situation develops, experts recommend staying prepared. Learn essential earthquake safety protocols by signing up for the Unshaken newsletter, which provides vital information on emergency preparedness over six weeks. Topics include how to assemble earthquake kits, must-have apps, and critical safety advice from experts like Lucy Jones.
Stay tuned for updates as we monitor the aftermath of these quakes and their potential impacts on the Bay Area. Share this information widely to ensure your friends and family remain informed and prepared.
For further details on earthquake safety and monitoring, visit latimes.com/Unshaken. The information provided here was generated with the assistance of Quakebot, a system that tracks and reports seismic events detected by the USGS, and has been reviewed by a news editor for accuracy.
