San Francisco Bay area shaken by 3.9 magnitude earthquake near Dublin

Southern and Northern California have experienced a series of earthquakes in recent days, with tremors recorded in Malibu, San Bernardino, Idyllwild, and Dublin.

While no injuries or damage have been reported, the frequent seismic activity highlights California’s susceptibility to earthquakes.

Latest earthquake near Malibu

The most recent magnitude 3.9 earthquake struck northwest of Malibu at 8:17 pm on Sunday, March 17, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS).

The tremor was felt across Ventura, Los Angeles, and Orange counties.

This follows a magnitude 3.3 earthquake near Malibu on March 10, as well as two smaller tremors on March 9. Additionally, a magnitude 4.1 quake struck Westlake Village, northeast of Malibu, on the same day.

Northern California also hit by earthquake near Dublin

In Northern California, a magnitude 3.9 earthquake struck near Dublin at 7:46 p.m. on Monday, March 18. The quake was centered about 4.6 km west of Dublin, according to USGS.

An aftershock measuring 2.9 magnitude followed in the same area at 9:46 p.m., reinforcing the seismic activity in the region.

Other recent earthquakes in California

• February 15: A magnitude 3.5 earthquake hit 11 km from Malibu and 15 km from Thousand Oaks.
• February 14: A magnitude 3.7 earthquake struck northwest of Malibu late at night.
• February 15: A magnitude 3.5 quake was recorded near Idyllwild, east of Hemet in Riverside County.
• February 15: A magnitude 2.8 earthquake occurred in San Bernardino, about 96 km east of Los Angeles.
• February 10: Three earthquakes struck San Bernardino (magnitudes 3.5, 3.0, and 3.6) near the San Andreas Fault.
• February 10: A magnitude 2.8 quake hit Ocotillo Wells, in San Diego County.
• February 10: A magnitude 3.2 tremor was recorded near Little Lake in Kern County.

Why does California experience so many earthquakes?

California sits on major fault lines, including the San Andreas Fault and the San Jacinto Fault, making it one of the most earthquake-prone regions in the world.

According to USGS, the state experiences around 10,000 earthquakes every year, though most are too small to be felt. Only a few hundred exceed magnitude 3.0, and about 15-20 reach magnitude 4.0 or higher. However, large earthquakes can trigger aftershocks that last for months.

One of the strongest earthquakes in California’s history was the 1857 Fort Tejon earthquake, which had an estimated magnitude of 7.9. It created a rupture over 350 km long along the San Andreas Fault.

The earliest recorded earthquake in California was in 1769, when Spanish explorer Gaspar de Portolá’s expedition felt a tremor while camping near present-day Los Angeles.

No reports of damage or injuries

Despite multiple tremors, no injuries or structural damage have been reported. However, residents in Malibu, Dublin, Los Angeles, and Ventura County continue to feel the effects of ongoing seismic activity.

These frequent earthquakes serve as a reminder of California’s constant earthquake risk, reinforcing the importance of preparedness and emergency planning for those living in the region.