4.6-Magnitude Quake Rattles Northern California

Tremor felt across Bay Area, no major damage reported

Apr. 2, 2026 at 11:41am

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An earthquake with a magnitude of 4.6 struck Northern California early Thursday morning, rattling much of the Bay Area, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The quake was centered near Boulder Creek in Santa Cruz County and was initially reported as a 4.9 magnitude before being downgraded.

Why it matters

Earthquakes are a constant threat in the seismically active Bay Area, and this latest tremor serves as a reminder for residents to be prepared with emergency kits and disaster plans in case a more powerful quake strikes in the future.

The details

The earthquake hit at 1:41 a.m. and was felt by ABC7 Eyewitness News viewers across the region, including in Richmond, Mountain View, Hayward, Pacheco, Oakland and San Francisco. Some reports indicate items fell off shelves at local stores, but there are no reports of major damage or injuries.

  • The earthquake struck at 1:41 a.m. on Thursday, April 2, 2026.

The players

U.S. Geological Survey

The federal agency that monitors and reports on seismic activity in the United States.

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The takeaway

While this earthquake was relatively minor, it serves as a reminder for Bay Area residents to ensure they are prepared with emergency supplies and disaster plans in the event of a more powerful tremor in the future.