Under land 35 miles from Chico in The United States, a shallow M4.1 foreshock occurred in the evening of Thursday April 4th, 2024. Shaking may have been felt by a total of 4 million people.
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Earthquake Summary
The earthquake struck on land in The United States, 35 miles (56 km) north-east of Chico in California. The center of this earthquake had a very shallow depth of 3 km. Shallow earthquakes usually have a larger impact than earthquakes deep in the earth.
Date and Time: | Apr 4, 2024 06:34PM (Los Angeles Time) - Apr 5, 2024 01:34 Universal Time. |
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Location: | 35 mi NE of Chico, California, The United States. Coordinates 40°1'59"N 121°18'59"W. |
Map: | Map of area around epicenter. Click to open in Google Maps. |
Magnitude: | MAG 4.1 Detected by 67 stations. Maximum Error Range ±0.2 . |
Depth: | 3 mi (5 km) A very shallow depth. |
Max. Intensity: | V
Moderate On the Modified Mercalli Scale. |
Tsunami Risk: | Tsunami very unlikely While this was a shallow earthquake, it appears to have occurred under land with a magnitude not strong enough to cause tsunami's. Always stay cautious - More info here. |
Minimal impact predicted
Based on scientific estimates by the US Geographic Survey (USGS), the risk of high fatalities for this earthquake is classified at level GREEN (low). They expect an 65% likelyhood of between 0 and 1 fatalities, and a 96% chance that the number of fatalities falls no higher than 10.
The USGS classifies the economic impact of this earthquake at level GREEN (low). They expect an 65% likelyhood of between 0 and 1 million US Dollars in economic damage and impact, and a 96% chance that the economic impact of this earthquake falls no higher than 10 million USD.
Roughly 4 million people exposed to shaking
An estimated 4 million have been exposed to shaking (An MMI or Modified Mercalli Intensity level II or higher) as a result of this earthquake according scientific estimates published by the USGS.
Light shaking and likely no damage may have been experienced by an estimated 220 people. At IV, it is the highest MMI level this earthquake has caused. Intensity level II was experienced by the majority of people (around 3.6 million). In their region, very weak shaking and no damage can be expected.
People | MMI Level | Shaking | Damage |
---|---|---|---|
1,175,000 | I |
Not noticable | None |
3,599,000 | II |
Very weak | None |
374,800 | III |
Weak | Probably none |
220 | IV |
Light | Likely none |
0 | V |
Moderate | Very light |
0 | VI |
Strong | Light |
0 | VII |
Very Strong | Moderate |
0 | VIII |
Severe | Moderate to heavy |
0 | IX |
Violent | Heavy |
0 | X |
Extreme | Very heavy |
Nearby towns and cities
This earthquake may have been felt in The United States . The closest significant population center near the earthquake is Paradise in California, The United States. Paradise is located 25 miles (40 km) north-east of the epicenter. Paradise experienced an earthquake intensity (MMI Scale) of roughly III. That level implies weak shaking and probably no damage.
Multiple large cities are in proximity of today's earthquake. San Francisco is located 167 mi to the south-southwest (intensity unknown, possibly low). Sacramento is located 101 mi to the south and experienced an intensity of II (very weak shaking, no damage). Chico is located 35 mi to the southwest and experienced an intensity of III (weak shaking, probably no damage).
The table below provides an overview of all places in proximity of today's earthquake. Where available, the estimated intensity on the Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale in each place is included. Places where this information is omitted likely experienced little impact.
Overview of nearby places
Distance | Place | Intensity (MMI) |
---|---|---|
25 mi (40 km) SW from epicenter |
Paradise California, The United States. |
III
Weak |
35 mi (56 km) SW from epicenter |
Chico California, The United States. |
III
Weak |
38 mi (61 km) SSW from epicenter |
Oroville California, The United States. |
III
Weak |
44 mi (71 km) NE from epicenter |
Susanville California, The United States. |
II
Weak |
64 mi (103 km) SSW from epicenter |
Yuba City California, The United States. |
II
Weak |
64 mi (103 km) S from epicenter |
Linda California, The United States. |
II
Weak |
66 mi (106 km) SSW from epicenter |
South Yuba City California, The United States. |
II
Weak |
68 mi (110 km) NW from epicenter |
Redding California, The United States. |
II
Weak |
78 mi (125 km) SE from epicenter |
Truckee California, The United States. |
II
Weak |
79 mi (127 km) S from epicenter |
Lincoln California, The United States. |
II
Weak |
86 mi (138 km) S from epicenter |
Rocklin California, The United States. |
II
Weak |
87 mi (140 km) ESE from epicenter |
Sun Valley Nevada, The United States. |
I
Not felt |
87 mi (140 km) ESE from epicenter |
Reno Nevada, The United States. |
I
Not felt |
88 mi (142 km) S from epicenter |
Roseville California, The United States. |
II
Weak |
88 mi (142 km) S from epicenter |
Granite Bay California, The United States. |
II
Weak |
90 mi (145 km) ESE from epicenter |
Sparks Nevada, The United States. |
I
Not felt |
91 mi (147 km) S from epicenter |
Citrus Heights California, The United States. |
II
Weak |
91 mi (147 km) S from epicenter |
Antelope California, The United States. |
II
Weak |
93 mi (150 km) S from epicenter |
North Highlands California, The United States. |
II
Weak |
94 mi (151 km) S from epicenter |
Foothill Farms California, The United States. |
II
Weak |
94 mi (151 km) S from epicenter |
Orangevale California, The United States. |
II
Weak |
94 mi (151 km) S from epicenter |
Folsom California, The United States. |
II
Weak |
94 mi (151 km) S from epicenter |
El Dorado Hills California, The United States. |
II
Weak |
96 mi (154 km) S from epicenter |
Fair Oaks California, The United States. |
II
Weak |
97 mi (156 km) SSW from epicenter |
Woodland California, The United States. |
II
Weak |
98 mi (157 km) S from epicenter |
Carmichael California, The United States. |
II
Weak |
99 mi (159 km) S from epicenter |
Arden-Arcade California, The United States. |
II
Weak |
100 mi (161 km) S from epicenter |
Rancho Cordova California, The United States. |
II
Weak |
101 mi (162 km) S from epicenter |
Sacramento California, The United States. |
II
Weak |
101 mi (163 km) S from epicenter |
West Sacramento California, The United States. |
II
Weak |
102 mi (164 km) SE from epicenter |
Carson City Nevada, The United States. |
I
Not felt |
103 mi (165 km) S from epicenter |
Rosemont California, The United States. |
II
Weak |
105 mi (169 km) SSW from epicenter |
Davis California, The United States. |
II
Weak |
106 mi (171 km) S from epicenter |
Florin California, The United States. |
II
Weak |
108 mi (174 km) S from epicenter |
Vineyard California, The United States. |
II
Weak |
112 mi (180 km) S from epicenter |
Laguna California, The United States. |
II
Weak |
112 mi (181 km) S from epicenter |
Elk Grove California, The United States. |
II
Weak |
121 mi (195 km) SSW from epicenter |
Vacaville California, The United States. |
I
Not felt |
129 mi (208 km) SSW from epicenter |
Fairfield California, The United States. |
I
Not felt |
130 mi (210 km) SSW from epicenter |
Napa California, The United States. |
I
Not felt |
133 mi (214 km) SW from epicenter |
Santa Rosa California, The United States. |
I
Not felt |
142 mi (229 km) S from epicenter |
Antioch California, The United States. |
|
142 mi (229 km) SSW from epicenter |
Vallejo California, The United States. |
|
144 mi (231 km) S from epicenter |
Stockton California, The United States. |
|
147 mi (237 km) SSW from epicenter |
Concord California, The United States. |
|
158 mi (254 km) SSW from epicenter |
Berkeley California, The United States. |
|
162 mi (261 km) SSW from epicenter |
Oakland California, The United States. |
|
167 mi (268 km) S from epicenter |
Modesto California, The United States. |
|
167 mi (269 km) SSW from epicenter |
San Francisco California, The United States. |
|
168 mi (271 km) SSW from epicenter |
Hayward California, The United States. |
|
175 mi (282 km) S from epicenter |
Fremont California, The United States. |
|
178 mi (286 km) NNW from epicenter |
Medford Oregon, The United States. |
Earthquake Intensity Map
The maximum intensity (MMI Scale) caused by this earthquake is IV. The map below shows in which areas this earthquake was the most and least impactful. It is based on data from the US Geographic Survey.
This is likely a foreshock
This earthquake was followed by a stronger MAG-4.4 earthquake, classifying this earthquake as a foreshock.
Overview of foreshocks and aftershocks
Classification | Magnitude | When | Where |
---|---|---|---|
Foreshock This Earthquake |
M 4.1 |
25 sec earlier Apr 4, 2024 06:34PM (Los Angeles Time) | 0.9 mi (1.5 km) WSW from Main Shock. |
Main Shock | M 4.4 |
Apr 4, 2024 06:34PM (Los Angeles Time) | - |
Aftershock | M 2.7 |
29 mins later Apr 4, 2024 07:03PM (Los Angeles Time) | 0.2 mi (0.4 km) SE from Main Shock. |
Aftershock | M 2.6 |
9 hrs later Apr 5, 2024 03:26AM (Los Angeles Time) | 0.2 mi (0.4 km) ENE from Main Shock. |
Aftershock | M 2.9 |
9 hrs later Apr 5, 2024 03:46AM (Los Angeles Time) | 0.1 mi (0.1 km) ENE from Main Shock. |
Aftershock | M 2.5 |
3 days later Apr 7, 2024 06:26PM (Los Angeles Time) | 0.1 mi (0.2 km) SE from Main Shock. |
More earthquakes coming?
Earthquakes can create aftershocks. These are generally at least 1 magnitude lower than any main shock, and as time passes the chance and strength of aftershocks decreases.
In only six percent of cases, significant earthquakes are followed by a larger main shock, making the current earthquake a foreshock. While the chance of this happening is not so large, it is adviced to maintain cautiousness in the hours and days following a major earthquake.
Read: How to Stay Safe during an Earthquake (cdc.gov).Earthquakes like this happen often in the region
Earthquakes of this strength are very common in the region. This is the strongest earthquake to hit since January 26th, 2024, when a 4.2 magnitude earthquake hit 115 mi (185 km) further southwest. An even stronger magnitude 6.4 earthquake struck on December 20th, 2022.
In total, 110 earthquakes with a magnitude of 4.1 or higher have been registered within 300km (186 mi) of this epicenter in the past 10 years. This comes down to an average of once every month.
Tsunami very unlikely
While MAG-6.5+ earthquakes may cause tsunami's, it appears that the epicenter of this earthquake hit under land. In addition, the reported depth is deeper than 100km, making the risk of a tsunami even less likely. However always stay cautious and monitor advice from local authorities.
Tsunami Risk Factors
Factor | Under Sea? | MAG-6.5 or stronger? | Shallow depth? |
---|---|---|---|
Explanation | Almost all tsunami's are caused by earthquakes with their epicenter under sea or very near the sea. However stay cautious in coastal areas as earthquakes on land may cause landslides into sea, potentially still causing a local tsunami. | Under MAG 6.5: Very unlikely to cause a tsunami. MAG 6.5 to 7.5: Destructive tsunami's do occur, but are uncommon. Likely to observe small sea level changes. MAG 7.6+: Earthquakes with these magnitudes might produce destructive tsunami's. |
Most destructive tsunami's are caused by shallow earthquakes with a depth between 0 and 100km under the surface of the earth. Deeper tsunami's are unlikely to displace to ocean floor. |
This Earthquake | Not this earthquake. This earthquake appears to have struck on land far from any coast. |
Not this earthquake. This earthquake had a magnitude of 4.1. Earthquakes of this strength are unlikely to trigger a tsunami. |
This earthquake occurred at a depth of of 3 mi (5 km). Earthquakes this shallow could trigger a tsunami. |
Sources
Last updated 04/05/24 01:18 (). As more information on this earthquake becomes available this article will be updated. This article is automatically composed based on data originating from multiple sources.