The epicenter of the quake at 3:49 p.m. local time was in Mono County, California, less than 15 miles from the border, and about 20 miles southwest of Smith Valley Nevada, according to the United States Geological Survey. The initial shakes were reportedly felt as far away as San Francisco.
Less than two minutes later, a 4.8 magnitude earthquake hit about 140 miles west, close to Farmington in San Joaquin County, according to the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services.
After the initial two earthquakes, multiple smaller quakes, called aftershocks, were felt in the state’s central region. These quakes ranged in measurement from 2.5 to 4.6 on the Richter magnitude scale. At press time, the number of aftershocks reported by the USGS was 48 and counting.
Residents all over the Bay Area reported feeling multiple earthquakes, according to KRON. The City of West Sacramento’s official Twitter account posted a video of office blinds shaking with the caption “Earthquake felt at West Sacramento City Hall!”
“It appears the one we felt here in West Sac was located just south of Stockton. 4.8. West Sacramento emergency services report no damage,” the city tweeted later to clarify.
Crafters setting up for the Downtown Sacramento crafts fair, however, told KXTV reporters they did not feel the shaking Thursday afternoon.
The USCS sends “Shake Alert” warning messages through FEMA’s Integrated Public Alert and Warning System when available. Alternatively, users with the MyShake app installed on their phones receive alerts about earthquake activity in their area if it has reached a certain threshold. Several MyShake app users posted screenshots of their alerts to Twitter today in response to a @USGS_ShakeAlert tweeted request.
The aftershock forecast from the USCS is currently warning citizens they should be prepared in case more aftershocks occur.
So far, there have been no reported fatalities. California’s public transportation service has reported rockslides and road closures near Mono County.
Newsweek reached out to the USGS for comment.
The USGS lists four ways the public can be prepared for future quakes:
Secure your space by identifying hazards and securing moveable items. Plan to be safe by creating a disaster plan and deciding how you will communicate in an emergency. Organize disaster supplies in convenient locations. Minimize financial hardship by organizing important documents, strengthening your property, and considering insurance. "
