Earthquake Today: Live Magnitude Updates, Impact Map, Aftershock Forecast & Safety Tips

A light earthquake rattled the East Bay late Monday night, giving thousands of residents a quick jolt and driving a spike in online searches for “earthquake today.” According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the magnitude-3.2 quake struck at 10:47 p.m. PT on November 17 (06:47 UTC November 18), with an epicenter just 2 miles southeast of San Ramon in Contra Costa County at a depth of roughly 5.6 miles. Shaking intensity was classified as weak to light on the Modified Mercalli scale. Preliminary “Did You Feel It?” reports show the quake was felt across San Ramon, Dublin, Danville, Pleasanton, and parts of Hayward and Livermore, while most of San Francisco and San José only saw minor or no motion. No injuries, power outages, or infrastructure damage had been reported as of early Tuesday morning. WHY THIS EARTHQUAKE MATTERS TODAY • High-interest timing: The tremor arrived during prime evening hours, so many people were awake to notice it and immediately turned to social media to ask, “Was that an earthquake just now?” • Bay Area fault dynamics: The epicenter lies near the Calaveras Fault, a branch of the greater San Andreas system that produces frequent M 3–4 events. Although Monday night’s quake is considered minor, it underscores the region’s constant seismic activity and the importance of preparedness. • Cluster pattern: Over the past 48 hours, at least six quakes of magnitude 3.0 or greater have been recorded worldwide, including a M 5.4 off Costa Rica and a M 4.8 near Guam. None pose tsunami threats, but seismologists are monitoring for aftershocks and broad stress transfer along local faults. WHAT TO DO IF YOU FELT THE SHAKING 1. Report it: Submitting a “Did You Feel It?” survey on the USGS event page helps scientists refine intensity maps and improve future alerts. 2. Check your home: Look for new cracks in walls or masonry and secure tall furniture that may have shifted. 3. Review emergency kits: A three-day supply of water, non-perishable food, flashlight, batteries, medication, and copies of important documents should be easily accessible. 4. Practice “Drop, Cover, Hold On”: Earthquake drills take less than two minutes and significantly reduce injury risk during unexpected jolts. UNDERSTANDING MAGNITUDE 3 QUAKES Magnitude 3 earthquakes release approximately 37 megajoules of energy—enough to rattle dishes but rarely strong enough to damage well-built structures. However, shallow quakes like Monday’s can be widely felt, especially in sediment-filled basins such as the Tri-Valley and the San Francisco Bay. LOOKING AHEAD USGS scientists note that a quake of this size slightly raises the probability of another M 3 or greater shock within the next week in the immediate area, though the chance of a much larger event remains very low. Still, history shows the Calaveras and Hayward faults are capable of producing damaging magnitude 6-7 earthquakes, making readiness essential for East Bay residents. STAY INFORMED • Sign up for free ShakeAlert-powered notifications on your smartphone. • Follow @USGS_Quakes and local emergency-management accounts on social media for verified updates. • Keep a battery-powered radio handy in case of power or network interruptions. BOTTOM LINE Last night’s magnitude-3.2 San Ramon earthquake serves as a timely reminder that the Bay Area lives with daily seismic risk. While Monday’s tremor caused no harm, it highlights the importance of having an emergency plan, maintaining go-bags, and staying alert through official earthquake today updates.