A 4.9-magnitude earthquake struck Northern California early Thursday morning, with its epicenter near Boulder Creek in Santa Cruz County, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The quake, which occurred at 1:41 a.m. local time, was initially reported as a 5.1-magnitude before being revised downward. Shaking was felt as far away as San Francisco, with moderate shaking near the epicenter and light to weak shaking across the Bay Area.
No immediate damage or injuries were reported, though residents across the region described being awakened by the tremor. The earthquake occurred near the Zayante fault, which runs parallel to the San Andreas fault, both of which are considered significant seismic threats in the area. The USGS ShakeAlert early warning system issued alerts before the shaking began, notifying residents in multiple cities.
The quake’s epicenter was approximately 14 miles northwest of the starting point of the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, a magnitude 6.9 event that caused 63 deaths and significant infrastructure damage, including the collapse of a section of Interstate 880 and partial damage to the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge. The depth of Thursday’s earthquake was reported at 6.7 miles by some sources, though the USGS initially listed it as 10.9 km (6.77 miles).
Seismic activity in the region remains a concern, with the Zayante and San Andreas faults posing ongoing risks. The USGS and local authorities continue to monitor the situation for aftershocks or further developments.