3.7-magnitude quake shakes thousands in San Francisco Bay Area, seismologists say

A 3.7-magnitude earthquake shook the San Francisco Bay Area in California, the U.S. Geological Survey reported.

The 7-mile deep quake hit about a mile from Pleasant Hill south of Concord at 8:49 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 12, according to the USGS.

Nearly 5,000 people from as far away as Chico and Carmel reported feeling the tremor to the agency.

“Thought that was the baby causing mayhem…running into the sofa…but did you feel it too? Earthquake?” read one comment on X, formerly known as Twitter.

“Oh god. Another earthquake in SF,” read another post. “The Bart is going by also. But that doesn’t shake the whole house. This is so confusing.”

Pleasant Hill is about a 30-mile drive northeast from San Francisco

What to know about earthquakes

Magnitude measures the energy released at the source of the earthquake, the U.S. Geological Survey says. It replaces the old Richter scale.

Quakes between 2.5 and 5.4 magnitude are often felt but rarely cause much damage, according to Michigan Tech. Quakes below 2.5 magnitude are seldom felt by most people.

Earthquakes’ sudden, rapid shaking can cause fires, tsunamis, landslides or avalanches. They can happen anywhere, but they’re most common in Alaska, California, Hawaii, Oregon, Puerto Rico and Washington, according to the Department of Homeland Security.

If an earthquake strikes, it’s best to protect yourself right away. Here are tips from experts:

• If you’re in a car: Pull over and stop. Set your parking brake.

• If you’re in bed: Turn face-down and cover your head with a pillow.

• If you’re outdoors: Stay away from buildings. Don’t go inside.

• If you’re inside: Stay and don’t run outdoors. Stay away from doorways.

The best way to protect yourself during an earthquake is to drop, cover and hold on, officials say.

“Wherever you are, drop down to your hands and knees and hold onto something sturdy,” officials say. “If you’re using a wheelchair or walker with a seat, make sure your wheels are locked and remain seated until the shaking stops.”

Be sure to cover your head and neck with your arms, and crawl under a sturdy table if possible. If no shelter is available, crawl to an interior wall away from windows.

Once under a table, officials say you should hold on with one hand and be ready to move with it.

“There can be serious hazards after an earthquake, such as damage to the building, leaking gas and water lines, or downed power lines,” officials say. “Expect aftershocks to follow the main shock of an earthquake. Be ready to Drop, Cover, and Hold On if you feel an aftershock.”