San Franciscans are no strangers to earthquakes, and it’s not unusual to feel small earthquakes every several weeks. Earlier this afternoon, on Sunday, December 14, a 4.o earthquake hit just north of San Francisco, in Sonoma County.
The earthquake occurred at 3:30 pm and could be felt in San Francisco. It also triggered smaller aftershocks, including a 3.3 earthquake near Santa Rosa at 4 pm and a 2.5 earthquake at 6 pm. So far, there are no reported injuries or damage from the quake, and only light shaking has been reported by people in Santa Rose and San Francisco.
How to be prepared for an earthquake
While earthquakes are very common in the Bay Area and are often not strong enough to cause damage like today’s, it is always important to be prepared for an earthquake.
During an earthquake, it’s important to drop to the ground and go under a desk or table if you are inside. Then, you should hold on to the table leg with one arm, while using your free arm to protect your neck and head. If you’re outside, try to stay away from buildings, and if you’re in bed, roll onto your stomach and use a pillow to protect your head and neck. After an earthquake, be sure to expect aftershocks.
To prepare for an earthquake in advance, experts recommend securing large furniture like shelves to the walls to stop it from falling, making an emergency plan on how to contact family members, and preparing a supply kit with food, water, and other useful tools like a first aid kit, whistle, and flashlight. It is also recommended to keep heavy items on lower shelves in your home in case of an earthquake.
You can find more safety information about earthquakes at ready.gov. For more up-to-date information on earthquakes, visit the U.S. Geological Survey website here.