Magnitude 4.9 Earthquake Shakes Area Near Susanville

A moderate earthquake rattled parts of Northern California on Tuesday night, with shaking felt across a wide stretch of the region.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey, a magnitude 4.9 earthquake struck at 9:49 p.m. with an epicenter about 9 miles north-northwest of Susanville. The quake occurred at a shallow depth of just 3 miles, which helped amplify shaking at the surface. It was initially reported as a 5.3 before being downgraded.

The Susanville area has seen increased seismic activity recently, including a magnitude 4.7 earthquake just two days earlier and several smaller quakes over the past week.

The USGS said it has received more than 1,200 “Did You Feel It?” reports, with residents in places such as Sacramento, Camino, Pollock Pines, South Lake Tahoe, and Malin describing moderate to strong shaking.

While the tremor was widely felt, the USGS issued a green alert, indicating a low likelihood of injuries or significant damage. Most buildings in the region are considered relatively resistant to earthquake shaking, though officials note that older unreinforced masonry structures remain more vulnerable. Past quakes in the area have also triggered secondary hazards such as landslides and liquefaction.

Earthquakes in the 4.0 to 5.0 range are commonly felt but rarely cause major damage. Anyone who experienced Tuesday night’s shaking can submit a report directly to the USGS through its online felt-report system.