STANISLAUS COUNTY, CA – A preliminary 2.2 magnitude quake occurred close to Westley on Monday around midnight, the U.S. Geological Survey reported.
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A tremor shook the area at 12:44 a.m. The earthquake’s epicenter was about 16 miles west-southwest of Westley and occurred at a depth of 2 miles.
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Did you feel it?
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Those who felt the quake are encouraged to report it via the USGS Felt Report form.
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Tremors last week
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Six quakes of magnitude 2.5 or higher have been registered in the region over the last week. The strongest, a 2.9 magnitude quake, rattled the same area on Oct. 31.
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The five largest nearby earthquakes in the last week:
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- 2.9, west-southwest of Westley on Oct. 31
- 2.7, southwest of Ridgemark on Oct. 29
- 2.6, east of Seven Trees on Oct. 27
- 2.6, southwest of Ridgemark on Oct. 28
- 2.5, southeast of Aromas on Oct. 26
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What to know about earthquakes
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Magnitude measures the energy released at the source of the earthquake, the U. S. Geological Survey says. It replaces the old Richter scale. Quakes between 2.5 and 5.4 magnitude are often felt but rarely cause much damage, according to Michigan Tech. Earthquakes below 2.5 magnitude are seldom felt by most people.
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Earthquakes’ sudden, rapid shaking can cause fires, tsunamis, landslides or avalanches. They can happen anywhere, but are most common in Alaska, California, Hawaii, Oregon, Puerto Rico and Washington, according to the Department of Homeland Security.
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It is estimated that there are 500,000 detectable earthquakes in the world each year. 100,000 of those can be felt, and 100 of them cause damage.
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What to do during an earthquake
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If an earthquake strikes, it’s best to protect yourself right away. Here are tips from experts:
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If you’re in a car: Pull over and stop. Set your parking brake.
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If you’re in bed: Turn face-down and cover your head with a pillow.
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If you’re outdoors: Stay away from buildings. Don’t go inside.
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If you’re inside: Stay and don’t run outdoors. Stay away from doorways.
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The best way to protect yourself during an earthquake is to drop, cover and hold on, officials say. “Wherever you are, drop down to your hands and knees and hold onto something sturdy,” officials say. “If you’re using a wheelchair or walker with a seat, make sure your wheels are locked and remain seated until the shaking stops.” Be sure to cover your head and neck with your arms, and crawl under a sturdy table if possible. If no shelter is available, crawl to an interior wall away from windows. Once under a table, officials say you should hold on with one hand and be ready to move with it.
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“There can be serious hazards after an earthquake, such as damage to the building, leaking gas and water lines, or downed power lines,” officials say. “Expect aftershocks to follow the main shock of an earthquake. Be ready to Drop, Cover, and Hold On if you feel an aftershock.”
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Source: The U.S. Geological Survey
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This article was generated by the CA Earthquake Bot, software that analyzes structured information, such as data, and applies it to articles based on templates created by journalists in the newsroom. No human journalist was harmed in this experiment. You can report errors or bugs to mcclatchybot@mcclatchy.com.
ಈ ಕಥೆಯನ್ನು ಮೂಲತಃ ಪ್ರಕಟಿಸಲಾಗಿದೆ ನವೆಂಬರ್ 2, 2026 ರಂದು 12:49 AM.
