Scientist Urges Preparedness: Lessons from the 3.7 magnitude earthquake in San Francisco

San Francisco, a city known for its remarkable landscape, diverse culture, and innovative technology, was recently reminded of its geographical vulnerability. On January 10, 2025, a 3.7 preliminary magnitude earthquake struck off the city’s coast, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The quake was about three miles from the San Francisco Zoo, near the infamous San Andreas Fault, and the depth of the quake was measured at five miles.

The earthquake’s effects were felt across a broad area. It rattled San Francisco and the Peninsula, with tremors reaching as far north as Marin County and as far south as San Jose. Although it was a small magnitude earthquake, it didn’t come alone. Two aftershocks followed; a 2.5 magnitude at 9:39 a.m. and a 3.0 magnitude at 10:48 a.m., both at the same location as the original quake.

Despite the quake’s relatively small size, it served as a wake-up call for many San Francisco residents. Max Gardiner, a local resident, described his morning routine being abruptly interrupted by the quake, “I was just puttering around and making coffee and I noticed like the things in the kitchen started shaking… so I kind of froze,” he said. Another resident, Robin Darrah, an overnight guard at the San Francisco Zoo, also shared his experience, describing a sensation of wobbliness and how he heard one of his gates rattling just before the radio confirmed the earthquake.

However, in spite of the widespread tremors, there were no immediate reports of damage or injuries, according to the San Francisco Fire Department. The earthquake also didn’t trigger the early warning system on the MyShake app due to it being lower than a magnitude four. Robert de Groot, a USGS scientist, explained this specificity, adding that earthquakes of these sizes happen more often than we think, with around 50 occurring each day in California.

The lack of significant damage or a tsunami alert, like the one San Francisco experienced in December, may lead some to downplay the event. However, de Groot urged residents to use this event as a reminder to stay prepared. “Basically we tell people probably not something bigger from this particular event but still be ready for earthquakes that can happen in other places,” he said.

Being prepared for an earthquake involves developing a thorough plan and maintaining an emergency kit stocked with necessary items such as water, food, medical supplies, and essential documents. Irrespective of the earthquake’s magnitude, remembering to drop, cover, and hold on is crucial. This method has been proven to protect individuals from falling or flying objects, which are the most common source of injuries during an earthquake.

San Francisco’s recent earthquake is a stark reminder of California’s seismic reality. While we cannot prevent these natural disasters, preparedness can mitigate their impact. The USGS continues to study these events to better understand earthquake behaviors and ultimately enhance forecasting models. As we continue to learn from these events, communities must also adapt and make earthquake readiness a part of their routine.