Northern California Rattled by Minor Earthquakes on Thanksgiving Morning
On Thanksgiving morning, Northern California experienced minor seismic activity when a 3.6-magnitude earthquake struck the San Francisco Bay Area. The earthquake occurred at 4:21 a.m. PST, approximately 2 miles southeast of The Geysers, California, as reported by the United States Geological Survey (USGS).
Details of the Earthquake
- Magnitude: 3.6
- Location: Southeast of The Geysers, California
- Time: 4:21 a.m. PST
Following the initial quake, another similar magnitude event took place just seconds later, located less than a mile away. Seismologists expect that aftershocks may continue to occur in the region as they analyze the initial quake’s data.
Understanding Aftershocks
Aftershocks are smaller earthquakes that typically follow a larger quake in the same vicinity. They result from adjustments along the fault line that slipped during the main earthquake. Aftershocks can surface days, weeks, or even years after the initial event and may equal or surpass the magnitude of the first quake.
Impacts and Monitoring
The USGS may update its shake-severity map as more information becomes available. The region’s residents should remain vigilant following any seismic activity, as aftershocks can impact already vulnerable areas.
Shake data was last updated on Thursday, November 27, at 7:33 a.m. Eastern Time. Meanwhile, aftershock data was recorded at 2:22 p.m. Eastern Time on the same day. The shaking scale is based on the Modified Mercalli Intensity scale to assess the earthquake’s impact.
