Monday, February 17, 2025
Monday, February 17, 2025
HomeWorld5.5 Magnitude earthquake rocks North California

5.5 Magnitude earthquake rocks North California

On Thursday afternoon, Northern California was shaken by a 5.5 magnitude earthquake, causing a brief scare among residents. According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), the epicenter of the earthquake was about 2.5 miles southwest of the community of East Shore, but there have been no reports of any damages or injuries yet.

The earthquake occurred at 4:19 pm, and residents in the San Francisco Bay Area reported feeling a brief shaking, but there have been no reports of any losses. The USGS ShakeAlert system noted on Twitter that “since the quake was greater than magnitude 5, #ShakeAlert-powered alerts were delivered to cell phones.”

Initially, the earthquake was recorded at the magnitude of 5.7, which was later updated by the USGS to 5.5. The earthquake was followed by several aftershocks ranging from 2.5 to 3.8 in magnitude, said USGS.

The earthquake caused a disruption at the USGS Chico dispatch center, and 911 lines were down. The agency advised people in the region to call 530-332-1200 as they work to fix the issue, the California Highway Patrol in Yuba-Sutter said.

The earthquake was reported by residents in several counties, including Sacramento, Placer, El Dorado, San Joaquin, Solano, Colusa, Nevada, Yolo, and Butte counties. According to seismologist Dr. Lucy Jones, this 5.5 earthquake is the largest in California since 2019.

Earthquakes are a common occurrence in California, which lies on the Pacific Ring of Fire, an area where several tectonic plates meet, causing frequent seismic activity. According to the USGS, earthquakes of magnitude 5.0 or greater occur in California about once a year, and more frequent smaller earthquakes happen daily.

The USGS recommends that people in earthquake-prone areas should be prepared in case of a major earthquake. They advise that people should have emergency kits, which should include enough food and water for at least three days, as well as a first-aid kit, flashlights, batteries, and a portable radio.

In addition, the USGS recommends that people should have a plan in place for their family in case of an earthquake. This plan should include a safe place to meet, such as a park or open space, and an emergency contact list.

Residents in California are also encouraged to participate in earthquake drills, such as the Great California ShakeOut, which takes place annually in October. The ShakeOut is the world’s largest earthquake drill, and it aims to raise awareness about earthquake safety and preparedness.

Read more: Japan hit by 5.2 magnitude earthquake

In conclusion, while the earthquake in Northern California caused some brief panic among residents, there have been no reports of any damages or injuries yet. Earthquakes are a common occurrence in California, and residents should be prepared in case of a major earthquake. Having an emergency kit and a family plan in place, as well as participating in earthquake drills, can help reduce the impact of earthquakes on people’s lives.

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