Magnitude 5.5 Earthquake Shakes Northern California

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported that the earthquake hit at 4:19 p.m. PT, with its epicenter located approximately 2.5 miles southwest of East Shore, Northern California, a small community in the region. Read more.

According to USGS, a seismic tremor with a magnitude of 5.5 shook Northern California on Thursday afternoon. After analyzing the data, the USGS updated its initial reading of 5.7 magnitudes to 5.5.

While the quake was felt as a brief jolt in the San Francisco Bay Area, there were no immediate reports of damage. Nevertheless, the USGS activated its ShakeAlert-powered alert system for cell phones as the earthquake exceeded a magnitude of 5. This ensured that people in the area were made aware of the seismic activity.

Following the main tremor, several aftershocks ranging from 2.5 to 3.8 in magnitude were felt in the region, according to USA Today.

The California Highway Patrol in Yuba-Sutter announced that the earthquake had caused disruptions at its Chico dispatch center, with 911 lines going down. They advised people in the area to call a different number until the issue was resolved.

The census-designated place of East Shore, with a population of over 150 people, is about 162 miles northeast of Sacramento. The earthquake was felt across multiple counties, including Sacramento, Placer, El Dorado, San Joaquin, Solano, Colusa, Nevada, Yolo, and Butte counties. Several residents took to social media to share their experiences of the quake.

The USGS has tracked and reported California seismic activity for over a century. The state is located on the Pacific Ring of Fire, a region known for its active volcanoes and frequent seismic activity. As a result, residents of the area are advised to be prepared for earthquakes and to follow safety guidelines during and after an earthquake to reduce the risk of harm.