November 26, 2025
1 minute read
Magnitude 4.0 earthquake hits Rattles Bay area, likely to be followed by aftershocks
In the early morning of November 26, a small earthquake occurred in California.
A magnitude 4.0 earthquake shook the Bay Area shortly after 6 a.m. local time on November 26.
The USGS initially estimated the magnitude of the quake at 4.3, but quickly reduced the magnitude to 4.0. This kind of revision is typical in the immediate aftermath of an earthquake, as scientists analyze the data available to them.
The earthquake's epicenter was 1.7 miles deep and about five miles east of Gilroy, south of San Francisco Bay and about halfway between San Jose and Salinas, inland. The National Tsunami Warning Center quickly determined that the event did not pose any tsunami threat.
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The earthquake is the latest in a string of geological activity to occur in the area; The USGS has identified 10 tremors in recent weeks that could be linked to the largest event to date. Previous earthquakes have mostly been weaker than magnitude 2.0, which is something people typically don't feel.
Following the magnitude 4.0 event, two smaller earthquakes have already occurred, located deeper in the Earth's crust than the larger one: first a magnitude 2.7 earthquake to the northeast, then a magnitude 3.6 earthquake to the southwest of both of these events.
Whether you've felt recent earthquakes or not, if you've been to the area, you can report your experience to the USGS to better inform your analysis of the event.
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