A 4.9 magnitude earthquake struck near the Santa Cruz Mountains early Thursday at around 1:41 a.m., waking residents across California’s Bay Area. The epicenter was near Boulder Creek, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).
The quake was first reported at 5.1 magnitude but later revised to 4.9. It occurred at a shallow depth of about 9 kilometers, which made the shaking more noticeable across a wider area.
Tremors were felt in Santa Cruz, San Francisco, Oakland, and as far north as Petaluma. Many residents described a sharp jolt followed by a few seconds of shaking. In areas close to the epicenter, minor incidents such as fallen objects and broken dishes were reported, but no major damage or injuries have been confirmed.
Emergency alerts were sent to phones across the region, as the system activates for earthquakes above magnitude 4.5. In places near Boulder Creek, alerts arrived after the shaking had already started.
The Santa Cruz Mountains sit along an active seismic zone connected to the San Andreas Fault system. It is not yet clear which fault caused the quake. The region is also known for the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, which struck nearby with a magnitude of 6.9.
A Reuters update described the event as a magnitude 5 quake in the Brookdale area at a similar depth, reflecting early variations in seismic readings.
While this earthquake caused limited damage, it was widely felt and briefly disrupted the night across the Bay Area.
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