A 3.7 magnitude earthquake struck California on Friday morning, adding to the state’s ongoing struggles with devastating wildfires
The tremor, recorded near the San Francisco Bay Area at 7:02am PT, had its epicenter located about five miles southwest of the Golden Gate Bridge and two miles west of the Great Highway.
According to Mail Online, the earthquake was followed by a 2.2 magnitude aftershock four minutes later and a 2.5 magnitude tremor six minutes after the initial shake. The US Geological Survey (USGS) reported that more than 5,000 people in the area felt the tremor, and the number of reports continues to grow.
This seismic activity occurred roughly 350 miles from the Los Angeles area, where wildfires have caused widespread devastation. In Los Angeles, at least 10 people have died in the fires, and around 180,000 residents have been forced to evacuate. More than 10,000 structures have been destroyed, and nearly 30,000 acres of land have been scorched.
Mayor Daniel Lurie addressed the situation, saying, “I ordered city government into action immediately this morning, and our first responders have been out across the city ensuring the safety of our residents. We have also been sharing information and providing tools to help people protect themselves and their families in such an event.”
Despite the tremors, no injuries or damage have been reported from Friday’s earthquake. The USGS had previously detected a 3.0 magnitude earthquake the day before, less than 100 miles from Friday’s epicenter, along with additional smaller quakes earlier in the week.
The earthquake disrupted San Francisco’s Muni subway service, with locals sharing their experiences on X. Nadia Rahman commented, “I just felt the most significant earthquake I’ve personally experienced in San Francisco.” Many described the shaking as strong but brief.
Though California is familiar with earthquakes, scientists have warned that the region is overdue for a major quake along the San Andreas Fault. Experts predict that such an event could reach a magnitude of 8.0 or higher, potentially causing 1,800 deaths and up to $200 billion in damages.
Meanwhile, Los Angeles continues to battle fierce wildfires, including the Kenneth Fire, which is believed to have been started by an arsonist now under arrest. Nighttime curfews have been implemented to prevent looting, and entire blocks of Pacific Palisades and Malibu have been left in ruins. The fires, fueled by strong winds, are expected to subside with calmer weather conditions later in the day.
Follow Us on Facebook – @LadunLiadi; Instagram – @LadunLiadi; Twitter – @LadunLiadi; Youtube – @LadunLiadiTV for updates
