Earthquake Alert: Magnitude, Epicenter & Live Updates on Aftershocks—What You Need to Know Now

Seismologists are tracking a flurry of earthquakes worldwide this week, with activity ranging from a deadly magnitude-6.3 shock in northern Afghanistan to a cluster of minor tremors rattling California’s geothermal region The Geysers. Afghanistan’s Balkh Province was jolted before dawn on 3 November when a 6.3 magnitude quake struck near Mazar-e Sharif, flattening dozens of homes built from mud-brick and killing at least 20 people, according to initial government counts. Emergency teams coordinated by the United Nations and the International Organization for Migration are distributing winterized tents, blankets and medical kits as nighttime temperatures dip below freezing. Aftershocks continue to rattle the Hindu Kush range, raising the risk of further landslides on already-unstable slopes. Across the Pacific Rim, California’s seismic network logged more than a dozen quakes of magnitude 2 or greater in the past 24 hours. The strongest—magnitude 2.4—struck just after noon near The Geysers in Sonoma County, an area famous for its geothermal power plants. Although too small to cause damage, the tremor was felt by workers at several steam-field facilities, reminding residents that the volcanic complex remains one of North America’s most active micro-seismic zones. Farther north, a magnitude 2.0 event shook Humboldt County’s Redway less than an hour later, underscoring the constant creep of the Mendocino Triple Junction where three tectonic plates collide. Globally, the United States Geological Survey reports more than 30 moderate quakes (M 3-5) in the last day alone, with epicenters scattered from Indonesia’s Talaud Islands to Alaska’s remote volcanic arc. Experts say the apparent spike is part of normal variability rather than a sign of an impending “mega-quake.” Still, geologists urge preparedness, noting that large events often follow periods of heightened small-magnitude activity in subduction zones such as Japan’s Pacific trench and Chile’s Nazca interface. How to stay safe: • Secure heavy furniture and water heaters to studs; most injuries occur from toppling objects during shaking. • Keep a three-day supply of water, non-perishable food, flashlights and a portable phone charger in an easily reachable “go bag.” • Sign up for early-warning alerts like ShakeAlert in the U.S. or download local seismic apps that push notifications seconds before intense shaking arrives. • Review your household’s drop-cover-hold-on routine and identify safe spots away from windows and exterior walls. Scientists continue to refine earthquake forecasting models using AI and dense sensor arrays, but no system can yet predict the exact time and place of the next major rupture. Until then, experts say vigilance—secured homes, practiced drills and real-time alerts—remains the best defense against Earth’s sudden releases of energy deep below our feet.