The Bay Area of California experienced a series of earthquakes on Thursday afternoon, with the most significant tremor registered at 1:59 p.m. local time. According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), this strongest quake reached a preliminary magnitude of 3.7 and was detected at a depth of 4.3 miles in Alameda County, near Hayward, which is roughly 20 miles southeast of Oakland. Additional tremors were recorded in the area, measuring magnitudes of 3.3, 3.2, and 2.7.
As of now, there have been no reports of damage or injuries in either Hayward or Oakland, with the fire department in Oakland assuring there were no significant incidents related to the earthquakes.
Social media platforms, especially X, lit up with reactions from users responding to the seismic activity in Hayward.
This latest series of quakes follows a week of seismic activity further north in Humboldt County. Earlier this week, a magnitude 4.5 earthquake struck off the coast near Petrolia, triggering additional smaller quakes throughout the night, with the last being a magnitude 3.0 event recorded at 1:22 a.m. Wednesday. A prior magnitude 4.1 quake had also struck the same region earlier that day.
The seismic events come in the wake of a more significant magnitude 7.0 earthquake that occurred two months ago near Petrolia, which raised tsunami warnings and highlighted the geologically complex Mendocino Triple Junction region.
On Thursday, a smaller earthquake of magnitude 2.9 also hit near Petrolia, demonstrating the continuing tectonic activity in this seismically active area.
Despite the unsettling events, officials continue to monitor the situation closely, and public safety remains a top priority. As always, residents are encouraged to stay prepared for any potential aftershocks.
In summary, while the Bay Area shakes off these sudden tremors without reports of damage, it is a reminder of California’s dynamic geological landscape, emphasizing the importance of emergency preparedness in seismically active regions.