California faced a 3.7 magnitude earthquake on Friday morning, adding to the state’s ongoing battle with wildfires. The tremor occurred near the San Francisco Bay Area at 7:02 am PT, with its epicenter located about five miles southwest of the Golden Gate Bridge.
Following the initial quake, two aftershocks followed—first, a 2.2 magnitude quake, then another measuring 2.5. More than 5,000 people in the area reported feeling the shake, and that number continues to rise.
This earthquake happened 350 miles away from Los Angeles, where wildfires have caused massive destruction. The fires have taken at least 10 lives, and 180,000 people have had to evacuate their homes. Over 10,000 buildings have been destroyed, and nearly 30,000 acres of land have burned.
In Los Angeles, Mayor Daniel Lurie said the city acted immediately, with first responders ensuring people’s safety. The city also provided guidance on how residents can protect themselves during such emergencies.
Luckily, there have been no reports of injuries or damage from the earthquake itself. The shaking was brief but strong. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) had recorded a smaller 3.0 magnitude earthquake the day before, near the same location.
The earthquake disrupted San Francisco’s Muni subway service, as locals shared their experiences on X, with Nadia Rahman saying, “[I] just felt the most significant earthquake I’ve personally experienced in San Francisco.”
While California often faces earthquakes, experts warn that the region is overdue for a much larger, more dangerous quake. A major earthquake along the San Andreas Fault could potentially cause significant destruction, with experts predicting an 8.0 magnitude quake could cause extensive damage and loss of life.
As California deals with the combined threats of earthquakes and wildfires, emergency responders continue to fight fires, including the Kenneth Fire, which was allegedly started by an arsonist. Night curfews are in place to prevent looting, and areas like Pacific Palisades and Malibu have been severely damaged. However, experts predict calmer weather will help firefighting efforts soon.
