SAN FRANCISCO—The Bay Area experienced a 4.3 magnitude earthquake near the fault line of Livermore on Tuesday, July 16 at 1:11 p.m. The earthquake had a 12.4-kilometer depth and was rated as a level 6 in terms of intensity on USGS’s shakemap.
The main earthquake was followed by a 3.4 magnitude aftershock at 1:24 p.m. in the same area. No economic losses or property damage were reported and zero casualties resulted from the quake.
According to USGS’s website and overview of the earthquake, it was reported that “Overall, the population in this region resides in structures that are highly resistant to earthquake shaking, though some vulnerable structures exist. The predominant vulnerable building types are unreinforced brick masonry and reinforced masonry construction.”
On the Modified Mercalli Intensity (MMI) scale, Livermore (population of 81k), Blackhawk (9k), and Byron (1k) all felt the earthquake, but it was reported at a level 4 or “light” in terms of shaking. It was received as an even weaker experience for the rest of the Bay Area, being reported at levels 1-3 in Oakland, San Francisco, Sacramento, and San Jose.
For more information on earthquake safety and USGS’s Earthquake Hazard Program, visit https://earthquake.usgs.gov/.
