Two earthquakes with magnitudes above 2.5 occurred in California on Monday, May 4, 2026, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).
The first earthquake occurred 10 miles west-southwest of McKinleyville around 8:13 a.m. The tremor had a magnitude of 2.7 and a depth of 11 miles.
The second earthquake struck seven miles south of Tres Pinos at 10:25 a.m., only two hours after the first quake. The tremor had a magnitude of 2.6 and had a depth of five miles.
The USGS has a ‘Felt Report’ form where people living near reported earthquakes can answer questions about their experiences.
Earthquakes with a magnitude of 2.5 are usually felt by residents living nearby but normally do not cause damage.
As of May 6, seven people near McKinleyville submitted responses. The local responders have so far reported feeling weak shaking.
The rest of the surveyees, meanwhile, were from Eureka, approximately 13 miles from McKinleyville, and Fortuna, 31 miles from McKinleyville. They also reported feeling weak shaking in their areas.
As of May 6, no one has yet filled out the corresponding form for the Tres Pinos earthquake.
Prior Reported Earthquakes
The Covelo earthquakes are among the 11 earthquakes with a magnitude higher than 2.5 that have struck California during the week of April 28 to May 4.
The strongest reported earthquake happened on April 30. The quake, which was 15 miles west of Petrolia, had a magnitude of 3.7. The tremor occurred before 7 p.m. at a depth of six miles.
What Causes Earthquakes?
Higher levels of earthquakes happen in California regions due to their proximity to the San Andreas Fault zone.
The San Andreas Fault zone is a right-lateral strike-slip fault line that spans over 800 miles. This fault line causes the North American Plate and the Pacific Plate to slide past each other.
The rate at which they slide past each other is quite frequent, and this causes immense “stress” to build up, resulting in frequent earthquakes impacting the state.
Staying Safe
Earthquakes, particularly those with a higher magnitude, can pose safety risks.
Residents living near impacted areas are recommended to stay indoors, away from windows, and take cover if possible.
But if this is not an option, people outside should stay away from large structures and try to seek as much coverage as they’re able.
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