A modest 3.7 magnitude earthquake occurred off the coast of San Francisco on Friday morning, serving as a significant reminder from scientists about the importance of earthquake preparedness. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) reported that the quake struck approximately three miles from the San Francisco Zoo, at a depth of five miles, near the famous San Andreas Fault. Fortunately, there were no immediate reports of damage or injuries, as confirmed by the San Francisco Fire Department.
The tremor was felt primarily in San Francisco and the nearby Peninsula, extending its reach as far north as Marin County and south to San Jose. Following the initial quake, the region experienced a couple of aftershocks; the first registered at 2.5 magnitude at 9:39 a.m., followed by a second, slightly stronger aftershock of 3.0 magnitude at 10:48 a.m. Both of these tremors occurred in the same location as the original earthquake.
Witnesses described their experiences; Max Gardiner was in the kitchen making coffee when he noticed objects trembling around him. Similarly, Robin Darrah, who was on duty at the San Francisco Zoo, felt a peculiar wobbliness in his legs and heard unusual sounds in his surroundings, prompting him to check on the disturbances.
Despite the small scale of this earthquake, Robert de Groot, a USGS scientist, emphasized that such events occur frequently in California, which averages around 50 small quakes daily. He highlighted that this particular earthquake, being lower than a magnitude four, did not trigger any alerts on the MyShake app, nor was a tsunami warning issued, unlike a significant event in December.
De Groot urges residents to be proactive about preparedness by assembling earthquake emergency kits and staying informed about the proper safety protocols—namely to drop, cover, and hold on during an earthquake.
In summary, while the earthquake was minor and caused no significant disruptions, it serves as an essential reminder of the seismic risks in the area and the need for continued awareness and preparedness among residents. Being ready can help mitigate the impact of larger earthquakes that may occur in the future, keeping communities safer.