UPDATE: Two significant earthquakes have just rattled the Bay Area, with the first registering a magnitude of 4.0 at 3:30 PM today, just three miles from Santa Rosa. This quake was quickly followed by a magnitude 3.1 tremor at 3:38 PM, occurring two miles from the Northern California city, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).
The initial quake struck at a depth of 1.2 miles, while the subsequent tremor occurred at a depth of 1.4 miles. Residents in nearby cities felt the impacts, with the larger quake located four miles from Petaluma, seven miles from Sonoma, and thirteen miles from Napa. The smaller earthquake was five miles from Petaluma, eight miles from Sonoma, and thirteen miles from Windsor.
This seismic activity is particularly concerning as it marks a notable event in a region that experiences an average of 25 earthquakes with magnitudes between 4.0 and 5.0 each year, based on three years of data. Just ten days ago, another quake of magnitude 3.0 or greater was recorded in the vicinity.
Residents are urged to report their experiences to the USGS to help gather more data on these events. For those looking to prepare for potential future earthquakes, the USGS offers resources and guidance through their Unshaken newsletter, which provides essential emergency preparedness tips over six weeks.
As the situation develops, authorities advise residents to stay vigilant and informed. This is a crucial reminder of California’s seismic activity, prompting conversations about safety measures and community preparedness.
Stay tuned for updates as more details emerge regarding the aftermath and response efforts following these quakes.
