5.1 Magnitude Earthquake Slams Bay Area

A large earthquake rocked the Bay Area at 11:42 on Tuesday, registering at 5.1 magnitude on the Richter Scale. The earthquake hit approximately 12 miles east of San Jose and was followed by a 3.1 magnitude aftershock at 11:47 a.m.

The earthquake was the largest recorded in the area since a 5.4 magnitude earthquake hit Alum Rock in 2007.

Good morning Bay Area, CA. Did you feel the magnitude 5.1 quake about 9 miles east of Seven Trees at 11:42 am? The #ShakeAlert system was activated. See: https://t.co/sab7S4wOJi@CAGeoSurvey @Cal_OES @CalConservation pic.twitter.com/nwG168f825

— USGS ShakeAlert (@USGS_ShakeAlert) October 25, 2022

As of early Tuesday afternoon, no damage or injuries have been reported due to the quake. Bart halted and inspected nearly 60 trains following the earthquake. They were later released back into service.

A lot of residents in the area received an alert from the USGS ShakeAlert prior to feeling the earthquake, a revelation in technology that could help people prepare in the case of a dangerous earthquake. Some people were surprised to see the alert before the shaking even began.

“Man, getting an alert on your phone right ~before~ an earthquake is one of the most futuristic experiences I’ve ever had,” wrote Alexis C. Madrigal on Twitter. “So wild that it actually works.”

It’s been decades since a big earthquake has shaken the Bay Area, leaving many to stress about the potential of the next “Big One” in the near future. Luckily, today wasn’t that event.