SAN BENITO COUNTY, CA — According to the U.S. Geological Survey, a 4.0 magnitude quake hit near San Juan Bautista at midday on Thursday.
A tremor rattled the area at 12:57 p.m. The earthquake’s epicenter was situated roughly 3 miles south of San Juan Bautista and occurred at a depth of 5 miles. The magnitude was originally reported as 4.3 but later downgraded to 4.0.
Did you feel it?
Those who experienced the quake are encouraged to report it via the USGS Felt Report form. So far, the agency has collected 390 online responses from individuals indicating that they felt the tremor. Light shaking was detected, and people in multiple cities — such as San Francisco, Hayward and San Jose — reported experiencing the earthquake, according to the USGS DYFI report.
Did you capture the effect?
We welcome your photos showing how the quake affected your area. Share them with us at 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 resistant to earthquake shaking, though vulnerable structures exist. The predominant vulnerable building types are unreinforced brick masonry and reinforced masonry construction.
Quakes last week
During the past week, there have been seven quakes of magnitude 2.5 or higher centered nearby. The most significant was a 4.0 magnitude earthquake reported close to Gilroy one day ago.
The top five nearby earthquakes last week:
• 4.0, east of Gilroy on Nov. 26
• 3.7, south of San Juan Bautista on Nov. 27
• 3.6, east of Gilroy on Nov. 26
• 3.2, northwest of Pinnacles on Nov. 23
• 2.7, east of Gilroy on Nov. 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