A 3.7 magnitude earthquake hit California on Friday morning, further compounding the state’s ongoing struggles with devastating wildfires.
The tremor was detected near the San Francisco Bay Area at 7:02am PT, with its epicentre approximately five miles southwest of the Golden Gate Bridge and two miles west of the Great Highway, Mail Online reports.
The quake was followed by a 2.2 magnitude aftershock four minutes later, and a 2.5 magnitude tremor six minutes after the initial hit. The US Geological Survey (USGS) reported that more than 5,000 people in the area felt the shake, and the number of reports continues to grow.
This seismic activity occurred about 350 miles away from the Los Angeles area, where wildfires have caused widespread destruction.
In Los Angeles, at least 10 people have died in the fires, and 180,000 residents have been forced to evacuate. Over 10,000 structures have been destroyed, with nearly 30,000 acres of land scorched.
Mayor Daniel Lurie commented on the situation, stating, “I ordered city government into action immediately this morning, and our first responders have been out across the city ensuring the safety of our residents.
We have also been sharing information and giving people the tools to protect themselves and their families in an event like this.”
Despite the tremors, no injuries or damage have been reported from Friday’s earthquake.
The USGS had detected a 3.0 magnitude earthquake the day before, less than 100 miles from Friday’s epicentre, with additional smaller quakes occurring earlier in the week.
The earthquake disrupted San Francisco’s Muni subway service, as locals shared their experiences on X, with Nadia Rahman saying, “[I] just felt the most significant earthquake I’ve personally experienced in San Francisco.”
Many reported that the shaking, although strong, lasted only for a second.
While California is familiar with the threat of earthquakes, scientists have warned that the region is overdue for a massive quake along the San Andreas Fault.
Experts predict that such an event could measure an 8.0 magnitude or higher, potentially causing 1,800 deaths and up to $200 billion in damage.
In the midst of these challenges, Los Angeles continues to fight raging wildfires, including the Kenneth Fire, which was allegedly started by an arsonist who has since been arrested.
Night time curfews have been enforced to curb looting, and the devastation remains immense, with entire blocks of Pacific Palisades and Malibu flattened to rubble.
The fires have been fuelled by strong winds, though experts predict calmer weather conditions later in the day.
