Magnitude 4.3 Quake Rattles North Bay

Tremor felt across wider Bay Area, including San Francisco and Napa

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A preliminary magnitude 4.3 earthquake struck the North Bay region of California on Saturday morning, with the epicenter located about 3.7 miles north-northwest of the seismically active Geysers area. The quake was initially measured at 3.9 magnitude but was later revised upward by the U.S. Geological Survey. While the epicenter was in a relatively rural area, the shaking was felt across the wider Bay Area, including in San Francisco, Novato, and Napa.

Why it matters

The Geysers region is known for its high seismic activity, with small quakes frequently occurring due to the geothermal operations in the area. While California is prone to larger, more devastating earthquakes, experts believe the largest quake likely to hit the Geysers is around magnitude 4.5.

The details

The earthquake struck around 9:22 a.m. local time on Saturday, February 21, 2026. The USGS community map showed the shaking was felt across the wider Bay Area, despite the rural epicenter location. Earthquakes have been common in the nearby San Ramon area in recent months, with over 20 quakes felt earlier in February, likely due to fluid movement along small fault lines in the region.

  • The earthquake struck around 9:22 a.m. local time on Saturday, February 21, 2026.

The players

U.S. Geological Survey

The federal agency responsible for monitoring and reporting on seismic activity in the United States.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

The takeaway

The Geysers region's high seismic activity is a reminder of the ongoing geological forces shaping California, even in areas without major fault lines capable of producing devastating quakes. While this tremor was relatively small, it highlights the need for continued monitoring and preparedness in earthquake-prone areas.