SONOMA COUNTY, CA — A 3.8 magnitude quake occurred near Cloverdale on Saturday around midnight, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
The tremor shook the region at 12:57 a.m. It occurred at a depth of 4 miles with the epicenter approximately 5 miles east-southeast of Cloverdale.
Did you feel it?
You can let the USGS know if you felt the earthquake by filling out their Felt Report form. The agency has so far received 140 reports via its online form from people who indicate they experienced weak to light shaking. Residents in multiple cities — including Santa Rosa, Sebastopol and Monte Rio — reported feeling the quake, according to the USGS DYFI report.
Did you document the impact?
Help us tell the story — share your photos illustrating how the tremor affected your area at sacbee.com/customer-service/submit-photo.
Quakes past week
Five earthquakes with a magnitude 2.5 or greater have been detected in the region over the last week. The biggest, a 4.2 magnitude quake, was reported in the same area on Jul. 28.
Last week’s five largest nearby earthquakes:
• 4.2, east-southeast of Cloverdale on July 28
• 2.8, east-northeast of The Geysers on July 27
• 2.7, east-northeast of The Geysers on July 27
• 2.6, north-northeast of Upper Lake on July 30
• 2.5, northwest of The Geysers on July 26
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