Magnitude 4.6 Earthquake Jolts Berkeley, Bay Area
Berkeley, California — September 22, 2025 (Updated 11:00 AM ET)
A magnitude 4.6 earthquake rattled the San Francisco Bay Area early Monday morning, waking thousands of residents across Berkeley, Oakland, and San Francisco. The quake struck at approximately 2:56 a.m. local time, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the Southern California Earthquake Data Center.
This comes just weeks after intense storm coverage in California, adding to the region’s natural hazard challenges — a reminder of why staying prepared is critical.
Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Magnitude | 4.6 (preliminary, USGS) |
| Epicenter | 2 km ESE of Berkeley, CA |
| Depth | ~7.8 km |
| Time | 2:56 a.m. PT, September 22, 2025 |
| Impact | Widely felt; no major damage or injuries |
Shaking Felt Across the Bay
The epicenter was near UC Berkeley, close to Dwight Way and Warring Streets. Reports of shaking came from Oakland, San Francisco, Richmond, and as far south as San Jose.
According to the San Francisco Chronicle, residents described “a loud rumble followed by a quick jolt.” Similar widespread tremors were recorded during past events like the 2019 Ridgecrest earthquakes.
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Authorities Confirm No Major Damage
Local emergency agencies, including Cal OES and the Berkeley Seismology Lab, confirmed there are no reports of injuries or major damage.
NBC Bay Area reported minor disruptions: toothbrushes knocked over, startled pets, and a few fallen objects. But nothing like the widespread destruction of larger quakes.
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Expert Analysis
“The quake was shallow and located directly under a densely populated area, which is why it was widely felt even at a moderate magnitude,”
— Seismologist at Caltech
The USGS ShakeMap shows moderate shaking concentrated in Berkeley and Oakland, with milder tremors radiating across the Bay Area.
This pattern mirrors previous regional activity, such as the Hayward Fault tremors frequently monitored by UC Berkeley.
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Safety Tips for Residents
Authorities urge residents to:
- Check emergency kits.
- Secure heavy furniture.
- Follow official alerts from FEMA.
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FAQs
The quake’s epicenter was 2 km east-southeast of Berkeley, near the UC Berkeley campus.
It registered magnitude 4.6, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).
No major damage or injuries have been reported so far, only minor disturbances like items falling from shelves.
Yes, seismologists warn that small aftershocks may occur in the coming hours or days following the main quake.
Authorities recommend checking emergency kits, securing heavy furniture, and staying alert for official updates from USGS and FEMA.
