Shallow M4.2 Earthquake hit near San Ramon in The United States on Monday Morning.

Written by Earthquakelist.org on February 2nd, 2026. Last updated February 9th, 2026.

A shallow Magnitude 4.2 earthquake struck under land 2 miles from San Ramon in The United States in the morning of Monday February 2nd, 2026. The earthquake struck near a very densely populated region. The USGS has indicated there is a potential risk at tsunami's following this earthquake.

Earthquake Summary

The earthquake struck on land in The United States, 2 miles (4 km) south-east of San Ramon in California. The center of this earthquake had a very shallow depth of 6 km. Shallow earthquakes usually have a larger impact than earthquakes deep in the earth.

Date and Time:	Feb 2, 2026 07:01AM (Los Angeles Time) - Feb 2, 2026 15:01 Universal Time.
Location:	2 mi SE of San Ramon, California, The United States. Coordinates 37°45'23"N 121°56'37"W.
Map:	Map of area around epicenter. Click to open in Google Maps.
Magnitude:	MAG 4.2 Detected by 111 stations. Maximum Error Range ±0.2 .
Depth:	6 mi (10 km) A very shallow depth.
Max. Intensity:	VI Strong On the Modified Mercalli Scale.
Tsunami Risk:	Potential tsunami risk The USGS has indicated there is a potential risk at tsunami's following this earthquake. Always stay cautious - More info here.

Potential tsunami risk

DISCLAIMER: We strongly suggest to closely monitor advice from local authorities with regards to tsunami risks. Our analysis is based on automatically collected data from external sources, and these might contain mistakes. In addition, earthquakes can cause landslides that may lead to a tsunami, or be a followed by another, potentially stonger, earthquake.

There is a potential tsunami risk in the aftermath of this earthquake, immediately evacuate to higher grounds away from coastal areas and monitor advice from local authorities. The US Geographic Survey organization has indicated a potential risk for tsunami's following this earthquake.

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	This earthquake appears to have struck on land near a coastal area (14 mi from the sea).	Not this earthquake. This earthquake had a magnitude of 4.2. Earthquakes of this strength are unlikely to trigger a tsunami.	This earthquake occurred at a depth of of 6 mi (10 km). Earthquakes this shallow could trigger a tsunami.

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 12 million people exposed to shaking

An estimated 12 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.

The highest earthquake impact level for this earthquake is V, which corresponds with moderate shaking and very light damage. Roughly 100,900 people are expected to be exposed to this level. Intensity level II was experienced by the majority of people (around 8 million). In their region, very weak shaking and no damage can be expected.

People	MMI Level	Shaking	Damage
3,171,000	I	Not noticable	None
7,973,000	II	Very weak	None
3,851,000	III	Weak	Probably none
179,300	IV	Light	Likely none
100,900	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 San Ramon in California, The United States. San Ramon is located 2 miles (4 km) south-east of the epicenter. San Ramon experienced an earthquake intensity (MMI Scale) of roughly V. That level implies moderate shaking and very light damage.

Multiple major population centers exist within 300km of the earthquake that struck today. San Jose is located 29 mi to the south and experienced an intensity of II (very weak shaking, no damage). San Francisco is located 26 mi to the west and experienced an intensity of III (weak shaking, probably no damage). Oakland is located 18 mi to the west and experienced an intensity of III (weak shaking, probably no damage).

An overview of nearby towns and cities is available in the overview below. If places don't have intensity data available, it likely means the experienced impact in those places was fairly small.

Overview of nearby places

Cities and Towns around the epicenter of this earthquake.
Distance	Place	Intensity (MMI)
2 mi (4 km) NW from epicenter	San Ramon California, The United States.	V Moderate
4 mi (6 km) S from epicenter	Dublin California, The United States.	IV Light
6 mi (9 km) NW from epicenter	Danville California, The United States.	IV Light
7 mi (12 km) SSE from epicenter	Pleasanton California, The United States.	III Weak
9 mi (14 km) WSW from epicenter	Castro Valley California, The United States.	III Weak
9 mi (15 km) SW from epicenter	Hayward California, The United States.	III Weak
10 mi (16 km) WSW from epicenter	Ashland California, The United States.	III Weak
11 mi (18 km) ESE from epicenter	Livermore California, The United States.	III Weak
11 mi (18 km) WSW from epicenter	San Lorenzo California, The United States.	III Weak
12 mi (19 km) WNW from epicenter	Moraga California, The United States.	III Weak
12 mi (19 km) W from epicenter	San Leandro California, The United States.	III Weak
12 mi (19 km) SSW from epicenter	Union City California, The United States.	III Weak
12 mi (20 km) NNW from epicenter	Walnut Creek California, The United States.	III Weak
13 mi (21 km) NW from epicenter	Lafayette California, The United States.	III Weak
14 mi (23 km) S from epicenter	Fremont California, The United States.	III Weak
15 mi (24 km) NNW from epicenter	Pleasant Hill California, The United States.	III Weak
16 mi (25 km) WNW from epicenter	Orinda California, The United States.	III Weak
16 mi (26 km) NNW from epicenter	Concord California, The United States.	II Weak
17 mi (27 km) SSW from epicenter	Newark California, The United States.	III Weak
17 mi (28 km) W from epicenter	Alameda California, The United States.	III Weak
18 mi (29 km) W from epicenter	Oakland California, The United States.	III Weak
18 mi (29 km) NE from epicenter	Brentwood California, The United States.	III Weak
19 mi (30 km) NNE from epicenter	Antioch California, The United States.	III Weak
19 mi (30 km) N from epicenter	Bay Point California, The United States.	III Weak
19 mi (31 km) N from epicenter	Pittsburg California, The United States.	III Weak
20 mi (32 km) WNW from epicenter	Berkeley California, The United States.	III Weak
21 mi (34 km) NNW from epicenter	Martinez California, The United States.	III Weak
21 mi (34 km) NE from epicenter	Oakley California, The United States.	III Weak
22 mi (36 km) SW from epicenter	Foster City California, The United States.	III Weak
23 mi (37 km) S from epicenter	Milpitas California, The United States.	II Weak
24 mi (39 km) SSW from epicenter	Palo Alto California, The United States.	II Weak
25 mi (40 km) WSW from epicenter	San Mateo California, The United States.	III Weak
25 mi (40 km) SW from epicenter	Redwood City California, The United States.	II Weak
25 mi (41 km) WNW from epicenter	Richmond California, The United States.	III Weak
25 mi (41 km) W from epicenter	Chinatown California, The United States.	II Weak
26 mi (42 km) WSW from epicenter	South San Francisco California, The United States.	II Weak
26 mi (42 km) W from epicenter	Mission District California, The United States.	III Weak
26 mi (42 km) W from epicenter	San Francisco California, The United States.	III Weak
27 mi (43 km) WSW from epicenter	San Bruno California, The United States.	II Weak
27 mi (43 km) SSW from epicenter	Mountain View California, The United States.	II Weak
27 mi (44 km) S from epicenter	Sunnyvale California, The United States.	II Weak
28 mi (45 km) S from epicenter	Santa Clara California, The United States.	II Weak
29 mi (46 km) E from epicenter	Tracy California, The United States.	III Weak
29 mi (46 km) W from epicenter	Daly City California, The United States.	III Weak
29 mi (47 km) NW from epicenter	Vallejo California, The United States.	II Weak
29 mi (47 km) S from epicenter	San Jose California, The United States.	II Weak
30 mi (49 km) S from epicenter	Cupertino California, The United States.	II Weak
34 mi (55 km) N from epicenter	Fairfield California, The United States.	II Weak
39 mi (62 km) ENE from epicenter	Stockton California, The United States.	II Weak
52 mi (84 km) E from epicenter	Modesto California, The United States.	II Weak
62 mi (100 km) NNE from epicenter	Sacramento California, The United States.	II Weak
168 mi (270 km) NE from epicenter	Reno Nevada, The United States.	I Not felt

Earthquake Intensity Map

The graph below overlays a map of the region around the epicenter with earthquake intensity data provided by the US Geographic Survey. The highest intensity level detected for this earthquake is V.

I Not felt

II Weak

III Weak

IV Light

V Moderate

VI Strong

VII Very Strong

VIII Severe

IX Violent

X Extreme

Earthquake Intensity Map based on Shakemap Data provided by USGS.

25 Aftershocks detected

Since this main shock, 25 smaller aftershocks were detected. A 3.8 magnitude earthquake hit 27 mins later 0.9 mi (1.4 km) south-southwest of this earthquake.

In the days before this main shock, 8 smaller foreshocks were detected. Roughly 34 mins before this earthquake, a foreshock measuring MAG-3.8 was detected nearby this earthquake.

Overview of foreshocks and aftershocks

Detected MAG2.5+ earthquakes within within 100km (62 mi), that occurred in the three days before and after the main shock.
Classification	Magnitude	When	Where
Foreshock	M 3.4	3 days earlier Jan 30, 2026 10:33AM (Los Angeles Time)	0.5 mi (0.8 km) SSW from Main Shock.
Foreshock	M 3.1	3 days earlier Jan 30, 2026 10:33AM (Los Angeles Time)	0.7 mi (1.2 km) SSW from Main Shock.
Foreshock	M 2.9	3 days earlier Jan 30, 2026 10:33AM (Los Angeles Time)	0.5 mi (0.8 km) S from Main Shock.
Foreshock	M 2.8	1 day earlier Feb 1, 2026 06:27AM (Los Angeles Time)	59 mi (94 km) SSE from Main Shock.
Foreshock	M 3.8	34 mins earlier Feb 2, 2026 06:27AM (Los Angeles Time)	0.7 mi (1.2 km) SW from Main Shock.
Foreshock	M 3.1	31 mins earlier Feb 2, 2026 06:29AM (Los Angeles Time)	0.4 mi (0.7 km) SSW from Main Shock.
Foreshock	M 2.5	12 mins earlier Feb 2, 2026 06:48AM (Los Angeles Time)	0.5 mi (0.8 km) NE from Main Shock.
Foreshock	M 2.5	5 mins earlier Feb 2, 2026 06:56AM (Los Angeles Time)	0.7 mi (1.2 km) NE from Main Shock.
Main Shock This Earthquake	M 4.2	Feb 2, 2026 07:01AM (Los Angeles Time)	-
Aftershock	M 2.7	3 mins later Feb 2, 2026 07:03AM (Los Angeles Time)	0.7 mi (1.1 km) NNW from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 2.8	5 mins later Feb 2, 2026 07:06AM (Los Angeles Time)	0.6 mi (0.9 km) N from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 2.8	6 mins later Feb 2, 2026 07:07AM (Los Angeles Time)	0.4 mi (0.7 km) E from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 2.5	22 mins later Feb 2, 2026 07:22AM (Los Angeles Time)	0.7 mi (1.2 km) SSW from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 2.9	22 mins later Feb 2, 2026 07:23AM (Los Angeles Time)	0.2 mi (0.4 km) SE from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 2.9	22 mins later Feb 2, 2026 07:23AM (Los Angeles Time)	0.7 mi (1.1 km) ESE from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 3.8	27 mins later Feb 2, 2026 07:27AM (Los Angeles Time)	0.9 mi (1.4 km) SSW from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 2.6	32 mins later Feb 2, 2026 07:32AM (Los Angeles Time)	0.2 mi (0.3 km) ENE from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 2.6	34 mins later Feb 2, 2026 07:34AM (Los Angeles Time)	0.2 mi (0.3 km) E from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 2.8	35 mins later Feb 2, 2026 07:36AM (Los Angeles Time)	0.9 mi (1.4 km) NNE from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 2.5	40 mins later Feb 2, 2026 07:41AM (Los Angeles Time)	0.4 mi (0.6 km) ENE from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 2.8	41 mins later Feb 2, 2026 07:42AM (Los Angeles Time)	0.7 mi (1.1 km) NNE from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 2.6	47 mins later Feb 2, 2026 07:48AM (Los Angeles Time)	0.7 mi (1.1 km) SSE from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 2.8	53 mins later Feb 2, 2026 07:54AM (Los Angeles Time)	0.8 mi (1.3 km) NNE from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 2.5	2 hrs later Feb 2, 2026 08:44AM (Los Angeles Time)	0.8 mi (1.3 km) NE from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 2.5	2 hrs later Feb 2, 2026 09:03AM (Los Angeles Time)	0.7 mi (1.2 km) N from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 2.5	7 hrs later Feb 2, 2026 02:07PM (Los Angeles Time)	0.7 mi (1.2 km) NNE from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 3.1	8 hrs later Feb 2, 2026 02:56PM (Los Angeles Time)	0.7 mi (1.1 km) NNE from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 3.0	8 hrs later Feb 2, 2026 03:04PM (Los Angeles Time)	0.7 mi (1.1 km) NE from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 2.9	8 hrs later Feb 2, 2026 03:06PM (Los Angeles Time)	0.4 mi (0.7 km) ESE from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 2.6	10 hrs later Feb 2, 2026 05:24PM (Los Angeles Time)	0.6 mi (1 km) S from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 3.4	13 hrs later Feb 2, 2026 08:30PM (Los Angeles Time)	0.6 mi (0.9 km) SE from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 2.7	17 hrs later Feb 2, 2026 11:47PM (Los Angeles Time)	0.1 mi (0.2 km) E from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 2.8	1 day later Feb 3, 2026 09:01AM (Los Angeles Time)	0.9 mi (1.4 km) NNE from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 2.5	1 day later Feb 3, 2026 01:45PM (Los Angeles Time)	0.4 mi (0.7 km) NNE 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.

The chance that a significant earthquake like this one is followed by an even larger earthquake is not so large. On average, scientists estimate a 94% chance that a major earthquake will not be followed by an even larger one. It is still adviced to be aware of this risk

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 13th, 2026, when a 4.4 magnitude earthquake hit 133 mi (214 km) further north-northwest. An even stronger magnitude 6 earthquake struck on July 8th, 2021.

In total, 56 earthquakes with a magnitude of 4.2 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 2 months.

Sources

Last updated 09/02/26 00:08 (). This article contains currently available information about the earthquake and is automatically composed. We continue to update this article up to a few days after the earthquake occurred.