M4.2 Earthquake Shakes Near Santa Rosa, California

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A magnitude 4.2 earthquake struck near Santa Rosa, California, on Saturday, February 21, 2026, at 9:22 am local time. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported the quake occurred at a shallow depth of 5.6 miles, increasing the potential for felt effects across a wider area.

Why it matters

Shallow earthquakes like this one can cause more intense shaking at the surface compared to deeper quakes of the same magnitude, as the seismic energy has less distance to travel before reaching populated areas. This event serves as a reminder of the seismic risks facing Northern California and the importance of earthquake preparedness.

The details

The epicenter was located in Lake County, California. While a magnitude 4.2 earthquake is not typically considered major, it was likely felt by many residents in Sonoma County and surrounding areas. Preliminary reports suggest light shaking was experienced in Cobb, 3 miles from the epicenter and weak shaking in Clearlake (13 miles away) and Windsor (19 miles away). Larger population centers, including Santa Rosa (27 miles away), Ukiah (32 miles away), Rohnert Park (34 miles away), Agua Caliente (38 miles away), Petaluma (42 miles away), and Napa (45 miles away) may have experienced very weak shaking.

• The earthquake occurred on Saturday, February 21, 2026, at 9:22 am local time.

What’s next

The USGS continues to monitor the situation closely and will provide updates as they become available. Residents should be prepared for potential aftershocks in the coming hours and days.