A minor earthquake measuring 3.7 in magnitude struck off the coast of San Francisco on Friday morning, serving as a timely reminder for residents to stay prepared for seismic events. The quake occurred approximately three miles from the San Francisco Zoo, near the notorious San Andreas Fault, at a depth of five miles.
While some residents reported feeling the tremor, there were no immediate reports of damage or injuries. Tremors were most notably felt in San Francisco and along the Peninsula, extending as far north as Marin County and south to San Jose. Following the initial quake, two aftershocks were recorded: the first measuring 2.5 at 9:39 a.m. and a second at 3.0 magnitude at 10:48 a.m.
Individuals like Max Gardiner described their experiences, with items in their kitchens shaking unexpectedly while Robin Darrah, an overnight guard at the zoo, felt the quakiness for a moment, mistaken for fatigue.
No warnings were sent through the MyShake app for this earthquake, as it did not reach the magnitude threshold necessary to trigger alerts, according to USGS scientist Robert de Groot. He noted that quakes of this size are relatively common, with California experiencing about 50 earthquakes a day.
Despite the small scale of this event, the USGS emphasizes the importance of preparedness for future quakes since larger seismic events can occur unexpectedly. They remind residents to be ready and to practice safety measures like drop, cover, and hold on if another tremor is felt.
For those yet to assemble an earthquake emergency kit, now is an ideal time to start preparing. Following previous significant earthquakes that have posed serious risks, maintaining readiness can provide peace of mind and ensure safety in the event of future seismic activity.