4.6 Earthquake Jolts Northern California Awake

Residents report shaking homes for miles around the epicenter near Boulder Creek.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 6:36pm by Ben Kaplan

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A sweeping, atmospheric landscape painting depicting the shaking earth and trembling horizon, conveying the overwhelming scale and power of a moderate earthquake in the region.A powerful earthquake serves as a reminder of the natural forces that can disrupt daily life in Northern California.San Francisco Today

A magnitude 4.6 earthquake struck Northern California early Thursday, with many residents in a 100-mile stretch reporting their homes shook for a few seconds, including in San Francisco. The quake hit at 1:41 a.m. PST east-southeast of the town of Boulder Creek, which has about 5,000 people and is located 65 miles southeast of San Francisco. Some residents said they were first awakened by earthquake alerts on their phones before feeling the shaking. No damage or injuries were immediately reported.

Why it matters

While a magnitude 4.6 earthquake is relatively moderate in size, it still has the potential to cause damage to older structures and infrastructure, especially in the epicenter region. Northern California is situated along major fault lines, making it prone to regular seismic activity that can disrupt daily life and require emergency response.

The details

According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the earthquake had a depth of 6.7 miles and struck east-southeast of the town of Boulder Creek. Some residents in the nearby city of Marina also reported feeling slight shaking that woke them up. The National Tsunami Warning Center stated there was no tsunami danger from this particular quake.

  • The earthquake occurred at 1:41 a.m. PST on April 2, 2026.

The players

U.S. Geological Survey

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

National Tsunami Warning Center

The organization that monitors for potential tsunami threats following earthquakes and other events.

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The takeaway

This earthquake serves as a reminder of the seismic risks faced by Northern California communities and the importance of emergency preparedness, even for relatively moderate quakes that can still cause disruption and damage. Local officials will likely assess any impacts and continue monitoring the situation.