On Friday morning, California experienced a 3.7-magnitude earthquake, compounding the state’s already devastating wildfire situation.
PulseNets learnt that the epicentre of the tremor was located approximately two miles west of the Great Highway and five miles southwest of the Golden Gate Bridge, near the San Francisco Bay Area, at 7:02 a.m. PT. The US Geological Survey (USGS) reported that the quake was felt by over 5,000 people, with complaints continuing to rise.
Shortly after the initial quake, a 2.2-magnitude aftershock struck four minutes later, followed by a 2.5-magnitude tremor six minutes after that. Despite the shaking, there have been no reported injuries or damage from the earthquakes.
The seismic activity occurred about 350 miles away from the wildfire-ravaged Los Angeles region, where ongoing flames have caused significant destruction. PulseNets spoke to local officials, who confirmed that at least ten individuals have died in the fires, and over 180,000 residents have been forced to evacuate their homes. The fires have scorched nearly 30,000 acres of land and destroyed more than 10,000 buildings.
Mayor Daniel Lurie responded to the crisis, saying, “I ordered city government into action immediately this morning, and our first responders have been out across the city ensuring the safety of our residents.” He added, “Additionally, we have been disseminating knowledge and equipping individuals with the means to safeguard themselves and their loved ones during such a situation.”
The wildfire crisis, including the Kenneth Fire, which was allegedly started by an arsonist now in custody, continues to devastate parts of the region. Curfews have been imposed at night to prevent looting, but widespread destruction is still evident in areas like Malibu and the Pacific Palisades.
Strong winds have worsened the fires, but experts predict calmer weather later in the day.
PulseNets reported that the USGS had also detected a 3.0-magnitude earthquake the day before, less than 100 miles from Friday’s epicentre. Other minor quakes were recorded earlier in the week, which could indicate seismic activity in the region.
Following the earthquake, residents in San Francisco took to X to share their experiences, with one user, Nadia Rahman, commenting, “[I] just felt the most significant earthquake I’ve personally experienced in San Francisco.” Many noted that while the shaking was intense, it lasted only a brief moment.
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California remains prone to earthquakes, and experts have warned that a major tremor along the San Andreas Fault is inevitable. Such an earthquake could register a magnitude of 8.0 or higher, resulting in potentially $200 billion in damages and up to 1,800 fatalities.
As California grapples with both earthquakes and wildfires, the resilience of its residents and first responders is being put to the test.
