SONOMA COUNTY, CA — According to the U.S. Geological Survey, a 4.2 magnitude quake occurred near Cloverdale around midnight Thursday.
The tremor, which struck the area at 12 a.m., was centered roughly 7 miles east-northeast of Cloverdale. It occurred at a depth of just 2 miles.
Did you feel it?
If you felt the earthquake, you can report it through the USGS Felt Report form. 250 people have submitted responses through the agency’s online form, reporting they experienced the quake. According to the USGS DYFI report, light to moderate shaking was registered and residents in cities such as Larkspur, Petaluma, Penngrove, Santa Rosa and Ukiah reported experiencing the tremor.
Did you capture the impact?
If you have documented the effects of the earthquake, share your photos with us through our sacbee.com/customer-service/submit-photo.
Impact and estimated losses
Green alert for shaking-related fatalities and economic losses. There is a low likelihood of casualties and damage. Recent earthquakes in this area have caused secondary hazards such as landslides and liquefaction that might have contributed to losses.
Structure information summary
Overall, the population in this region resides in structures that are highly resistant to earthquake shaking, though some vulnerable structures exist. The predominant vulnerable building types are unreinforced brick masonry and reinforced masonry construction.
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