4.6-Magnitude Earthquake Shakes Northern California, No Major Damage
Key Takeaways
- 4.6-magnitude quake struck near Boulder Creek in the Santa Cruz Mountains at 1:41 a.m. PT.
- Felt across the Bay Area, from San Francisco to Silicon Valley, with noticeable shaking.
- Minimal damage reported; some residents reported broken dishes and shaken homes.
Quake Strikes Santa Cruz Mountains
A magnitude 4.6 earthquake struck near Boulder Creek at 1:41 a.m.
The quake was initially reported as 4.9 but downgraded after more data.
Moderate shaking was felt across the Bay Area and Silicon Valley.
Some items were knocked off shelves but no major damage was reported.
From Loma Prieta to Unmapped Faults
The quake occurred near but not directly on the San Andreas Fault.
Scientists believe it was triggered by an unmapped fault below the Santa Cruz Mountains.
The epicenter was approximately 14 miles from the 1989 Loma Prieta site.
Aftershock Risks and Community Response
The USGS predicted a 27% chance of an aftershock of magnitude around 3 within the next week.
More than 25,000 impact reports were filed with the USGS.
The regional earthquake early warning system activated, waking many with alerts.
Minimal Damage Despite Wide Impact
Damage was minimal despite the wide area that felt shaking.
Some residents reported broken dishes and a shattered television.
The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office had not received reports of any injuries.
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