Magnitude 4.6 quake rattles Santa Cruz, seismologists say. ‘What a shaker!’

A magnitude 4.6 earthquake shook the Santa Cruz area in California early Thursday, the U.S. Geological Survey reported.

The 7-mile deep quake hit less than a mile from Boulder Creek, about 15 miles north of Santa Cruz, at 1:41 a.m., according to the USGS.

The Governor’s Office of Emergency Services said on X there are no reports of injuries or damage from the quake.

More than 2,700 people from as far away as Fresno and Sacramento reported feeling the tremor to the agency.

“The epicenter is right where I am!!!” wrote one person on X. “Wow, what a shaker!”

“My dog does not like earthquakes very much. Ok that was fun. Back to bed,” wrote another person.

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 magnitudes 2.5 and 5.4 are often felt but rarely cause much damage, according to Michigan Tech. Quakes below magnitude 2.5 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.

How to stay safe during an earthquake

If an earthquake strikes, it’s best to protect yourself right away, the Department of Homeland Security said. 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.”

This story was originally published April 2, 2026 at 8:27 AM.