A San Francisco Bay Area earthquake measuring 3.6 in magnitude struck on Sunday morning, according to the United States Geological Survey. While minor in scale, the quake was felt by residents across the region.

Where and When It Happened

The temblor occurred at 8:37 a.m. Pacific time, with its epicenter located roughly 1 mile southwest of Alamo, California, based on data from the USGS.

As is standard practice, seismologists will continue reviewing the available data and may revise the earthquake’s reported magnitude. As additional information is gathered, USGS scientists could also update the shake-severity map that estimates how strongly the quake was felt in surrounding areas.

Aftershocks Reported

Following the initial quake, additional tremors have been recorded in the same area. These subsequent events are typically aftershocks, caused by small adjustments along the section of the fault that shifted during the original earthquake.

A few important things to keep in mind about aftershocks:

• They can occur days, weeks, or even years after the initial earthquake.
• They may be equal to or even larger in magnitude than the first quake.
• They can cause further damage to locations already weakened by the original event.

While a 3.6-magnitude earthquake is generally considered minor and unlikely to cause significant damage, the Bay Area’s well-known seismic activity makes it a useful reminder for residents to stay prepared. Keeping an emergency kit on hand and knowing basic earthquake safety steps remains good practice in earthquake-prone regions like Northern California.