CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA — According to the U.S. Geological Survey, a 2.5 magnitude quake occurred close to San Ramon Sunday morning.

The tremor rattled the region at 5:18 a.m. It occurred at a depth of 5 miles with the epicenter situated about 2 miles east-southeast of San Ramon.

Did you feel it?

If you noticed the earthquake, you can share your experience using the USGS Felt Report form. The agency has so far received 83 reports via its online form from people who indicate they felt the quake. Weak to light shaking was registered, with reports from Pleasanton, Danville and San Ramon among the cities where residents experienced the tremor, according to the USGS DYFI report.

Did you capture the effect?

If you have photos illustrating the aftermath of the quake, we invite you to submit them to us at sacbee.com/customer-service/submit-photo.

Past week’s quakes

Two earthquakes, greater than magnitude 2.5, have been detected nearby over the last week. The more significant, a 3.0 magnitude quake, was reported close to Dublin four days ago. The other, a 2.6 magnitude quake, occurred near San Ramon on December 23.

What to know about earthquakes

Magnitude measures the energy released at the source of the earthquake, the U. S. Geological Survey says. It replaces the old Richter scale. Quakes between 2.5 and 5.4 magnitude are often felt but rarely cause much damage, according to Michigan Tech. Earthquakes below 2.5 magnitude are seldom felt by most people.

Earthquakes’ sudden, rapid shaking can cause fires, tsunamis, landslides or avalanches. They can happen anywhere, but are most common in Alaska, California, Hawaii, Oregon, Puerto Rico and Washington, according to the Department of Homeland Security.

It is estimated that there are 500,000 detectable earthquakes in the world each year. 100,000 of those can be felt, and 100 of them cause damage.

What to do during an earthquake

If an earthquake strikes, it’s best to protect yourself right away. Here are tips from experts:

If you’re in a car: Pull over and stop. Set your parking brake.

If you’re in bed: Turn face-down and cover your head with a pillow.

If you’re outdoors: Stay away from buildings. Don’t go inside.

If you’re inside: Stay and don’t run outdoors. Stay away from doorways.

The best way to protect yourself during an earthquake is to drop, cover and hold on, officials say. “Wherever you are, drop down to your hands and knees and hold onto something sturdy,” officials say. “If you’re using a wheelchair or walker with a seat, make sure your wheels are locked and remain seated until the shaking stops.” Be sure to cover your head and neck with your arms, and crawl under a sturdy table if possible. If no shelter is available, crawl to an interior wall away from windows. Once under a table, officials say you should hold on with one hand and be ready to move with it.

“There can be serious hazards after an earthquake, such as damage to the building, leaking gas and water lines, or downed power lines,” officials say. “Expect aftershocks to follow the main shock of an earthquake. Be ready to Drop, Cover, and Hold On if you feel an aftershock.”

Source: The U.S. Geological Survey