The San Francisco Bay Area saw its biggest earthquake in eight years on Tuesday, when a magnitude 5.1 tremor shook the region’s skyscrapers.
No damage or injuries were immediately reported.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the earthquake occurred at 11:42 a.m. local time, 4 miles beneath the surface, 12 miles east of San Jose. Southeast of downtown San Francisco, the area is located roughly 40 miles away.
Lucy Jones, a seismologist with the USGS, and other experts agree that the earthquake was the biggest the Bay Area had seen in a number of years. The most recent significant earthquake was a 6.0-magnitude one that occurred close to Napa in 2014.
According to the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, or Cal OES, nearly 100,000 people reported receiving a warning before the shaking began through the state’s earthquake early warning system.
According to the organisation, the advance warning time ranged from two seconds for people in close proximity to the epicentre to 18 seconds for people in San Francisco.
Mayor of the nearby city of Morgan Hill, Rich Constantine, claimed to have been in his kitchen when the “long and steady” earthquake struck.
Everything was trembling as a frame in the house fell, but once it stopped, there was no damage, the man claimed.
About 5 minutes after the original earthquake, a 3.1 aftershock occurred, according to USGS.
The Loma Prieta earthquake, which struck in the Santa Cruz Mountains on October 17, 1989, just as the World Series was about to start in San Francisco, was just one week ago Tuesday. It occurred on its 33rd anniversary. 62 people died as a result of the earthquake, which also cost billions to repair.
What Should I Do Before, During, and After an Earthquake?
What to Do Before an Earthquake
- Make sure you have a fire extinguisher, first aid kit, a battery-powered radio, a flashlight, and extra batteries at home.
- Learn first aid.
- Learn how to turn off the gas, water, and electricity.
- Make up a plan of where to meet your family after an earthquake.
- Don’t leave heavy objects on shelves (they’ll fall during a quake).
- Anchor heavy furniture, cupboards, and appliances to the walls or floor.
- Learn the earthquake plan at your school or workplace.
What to Do During an Earthquake
- Stay calm! If you’re indoors, stay inside. If you’re outside, stay outside.
- If you’re indoors, stand against a wall near the center of the building, stand in a doorway, or crawl under heavy furniture (a desk or table). Stay away from windows and outside doors.
- If you’re outdoors, stay in the open away from power lines or anything that might fall. Stay away from buildings (stuff might fall off the building or the building could fall on you).
- Don’t use matches, candles, or any flame. Broken gas lines and fire don’t mix.
- If you’re in a car, stop the car and stay inside the car until the earthquake stops.
- Don’t use elevators (they may shut down).
What to Do After an Earthquake
- Check yourself and others for injuries. Provide first aid for anyone who needs it.
- Check water, gas, and electric lines for damage. If any are damaged, shut off the valves. Check for the smell of gas. If you smell it, open all the windows and doors, leave immediately, and report it to the authorities (use someone else’s phone).
- Turn on the radio. Don’t use the phone unless it’s an emergency.
- Stay out of damaged buildings.
- Be careful around broken glass and debris. Wear boots or sturdy shoes to keep from cutting your feet.
- Be careful of chimneys (they may fall on you).
- Stay away from beaches. Tsunamis and seiches sometimes hit after the ground has stopped shaking.
- Stay away from damaged areas.
- If you’re at school or work, follow the emergency plan or the instructions of the person in charge.
Expect aftershocks.