On Thursday Night a Shallow M4.4 Earthquake struck near Santa Rosa in The United States.

Written by Earthquakelist.org on May 7th, 2026. Last updated May 8th, 2026.

In the night of Thursday May 7th, 2026, a shallow M4.4 earthquake hit under land 24 miles from Santa Rosa in The United States. Roughly 2.6 million people may have felt this earthquake.

Earthquake Summary

The earthquake struck on land in The United States, 24 miles (39 km) north of Santa Rosa in California. The center of this earthquake had a very shallow depth of 2 km. Shallow earthquakes usually have a larger impact than earthquakes deep in the earth.

Date and Time:	May 7, 2026 02:42AM (Los Angeles Time) - May 7, 2026 09:42 Universal Time.
Location:	24 mi north of Santa Rosa, California, The United States. Coordinates 38°47'29"N 122°46'38"W.
Map:	Map of area around epicenter. Click to open in Google Maps.
Magnitude:	MAG 4.4 Detected by 47 stations. Maximum Error Range ±0.2 .
Depth:	2 mi (4 km) A very shallow depth.
Max. Intensity:	VI Strong 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 95% likelyhood of between 0 and 1 fatalities.

The USGS classifies the economic impact of this earthquake at level GREEN (low). They expect an 90% likelyhood of between 0 and 1 million US Dollars in economic damage and impact.

Roughly 2.6 million people exposed to shaking

An estimated 2.6 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 410 people are expected to be exposed to this level. Intensity level I was experienced by the majority of people (around 11 million). In their region, not noticeable and no damage can be expected.

People	MMI Level	Shaking	Damage
10,510,000	I	Not noticable	None
2,380,000	II	Very weak	None
225,500	III	Weak	Probably none
14,140	IV	Light	Likely none
410	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 . Clearlake in California, The United States is the nearest significant place from the epicenter. The earthquake occurred 14 miles (23 km) southwest of Clearlake. The intensity of shaking and damage in Clearlake is estimated to be around level III on the Modified Mercalli Intensity scale (weak shaking, probably no damage).

Multiple large cities are in proximity of today's earthquake. San Francisco is located 73 mi to the south and experienced an intensity of II (very weak shaking, no damage). San Jose is located 111 mi to the south-east and experienced an intensity of I (not noticeable, no damage). Santa Rosa is located 24 mi to the south and experienced an intensity of III (weak shaking, probably no damage).

A complete list of nearby places is included below. Estimated intensity data (MMI) sourced from a shake-map published by the US Geographic Survey is shown where available (cities without data probably experienced little impact).

Overview of nearby places

Cities and Towns around the epicenter of this earthquake.
Distance	Place	Intensity (MMI)
14 mi (23 km) NE from epicenter	Clearlake California, The United States.	III Weak
17 mi (27 km) S from epicenter	Windsor California, The United States.	III Weak
24 mi (39 km) S from epicenter	Santa Rosa California, The United States.	III Weak
32 mi (51 km) S from epicenter	Rohnert Park California, The United States.	II Weak
34 mi (55 km) NW from epicenter	Ukiah California, The United States.	II Weak
39 mi (63 km) S from epicenter	Petaluma California, The United States.	II Weak
43 mi (70 km) SE from epicenter	Napa California, The United States.	II Weak
48 mi (78 km) S from epicenter	Novato California, The United States.	II Weak
51 mi (82 km) SE from epicenter	American Canyon California, The United States.	II Weak
52 mi (84 km) SE from epicenter	Vacaville California, The United States.	II Weak
55 mi (88 km) E from epicenter	Woodland California, The United States.	II Weak
55 mi (88 km) SE from epicenter	Fairfield California, The United States.	II Weak
55 mi (89 km) SE from epicenter	Suisun California, The United States.	II Weak
55 mi (89 km) SE from epicenter	Vallejo California, The United States.	II Weak
57 mi (91 km) SE from epicenter	Dixon California, The United States.	II Weak
58 mi (93 km) S from epicenter	San Rafael California, The United States.	II Weak
58 mi (94 km) E from epicenter	Davis California, The United States.	II Weak
60 mi (96 km) SE from epicenter	Hercules California, The United States.	I Not felt
60 mi (97 km) SE from epicenter	Pinole California, The United States.	I Not felt
62 mi (99 km) SE from epicenter	Benicia California, The United States.	II Weak
62 mi (100 km) SE from epicenter	San Pablo California, The United States.	II Weak
63 mi (102 km) S from epicenter	Richmond California, The United States.	II Weak
67 mi (108 km) E from epicenter	Yuba City California, The United States.	II Weak
69 mi (111 km) E from epicenter	West Sacramento California, The United States.	II Weak
69 mi (111 km) SE from epicenter	Concord California, The United States.	II Weak
69 mi (111 km) SE from epicenter	Berkeley California, The United States.	II Weak
71 mi (114 km) E from epicenter	Sacramento California, The United States.	II Weak
71 mi (115 km) SE from epicenter	Pittsburg California, The United States.	I Not felt
71 mi (115 km) S from epicenter	Chinatown California, The United States.	II Weak
72 mi (116 km) SE from epicenter	Walnut Creek California, The United States.	II Weak
73 mi (117 km) S from epicenter	San Francisco California, The United States.	II Weak
73 mi (118 km) S from epicenter	Oakland California, The United States.	II Weak
76 mi (122 km) S from epicenter	Alameda California, The United States.	II Weak
76 mi (122 km) SE from epicenter	Antioch California, The United States.	I Not felt
76 mi (123 km) E from epicenter	Arden-Arcade California, The United States.	I Not felt
77 mi (124 km) S from epicenter	Daly City California, The United States.	II Weak
80 mi (129 km) E from epicenter	Elk Grove California, The United States.	I Not felt
80 mi (129 km) E from epicenter	Roseville California, The United States.	I Not felt
81 mi (130 km) SE from epicenter	San Leandro California, The United States.	I Not felt
81 mi (130 km) E from epicenter	Citrus Heights California, The United States.	I Not felt
81 mi (130 km) E from epicenter	Rancho Cordova California, The United States.	I Not felt
81 mi (130 km) S from epicenter	South San Francisco California, The United States.	I Not felt
82 mi (132 km) NE from epicenter	Chico California, The United States.	I Not felt
82 mi (132 km) SE from epicenter	San Ramon California, The United States.	I Not felt
86 mi (139 km) SE from epicenter	Hayward California, The United States.	I Not felt
88 mi (142 km) S from epicenter	San Mateo California, The United States.	I Not felt
96 mi (154 km) SE from epicenter	Fremont California, The United States.	I Not felt
99 mi (159 km) SE from epicenter	Stockton California, The United States.	I Not felt
106 mi (171 km) SE from epicenter	Sunnyvale California, The United States.	I Not felt
109 mi (175 km) SE from epicenter	Santa Clara California, The United States.	I Not felt
111 mi (179 km) SE from epicenter	San Jose California, The United States.	I Not felt
167 mi (268 km) E from epicenter	Reno Nevada, The United States.

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.

2 Aftershocks detected

This main shock was followed by 2 smaller aftershocks. At a distance of 5 mi (8 km) south-east of this earthquake, an aftershock struck 12 mins later. It measured a magnitude of 2.7

This main shock was prefaced by 3 smaller foreshocks. Roughly 6 hrs before this earthquake, a foreshock measuring MAG-3.1 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 2.5	2 days earlier May 5, 2026 07:57AM (Los Angeles Time)	61 mi (98 km) SE from Main Shock.
Foreshock	M 2.6	2 days earlier May 5, 2026 08:22AM (Los Angeles Time)	51 mi (82 km) SE from Main Shock.
Foreshock	M 3.1	6 hrs earlier May 6, 2026 08:56PM (Los Angeles Time)	3 mi (6 km) E from Main Shock.
Main Shock This Earthquake	M 4.4	May 7, 2026 02:42AM (Los Angeles Time)	-
Aftershock	M 2.5	2 mins later May 7, 2026 02:44AM (Los Angeles Time)	1.4 mi (2.3 km) N from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 2.7	12 mins later May 7, 2026 02:54AM (Los Angeles Time)	5 mi (8 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.

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 April 2nd, 2026, when a 4.6 magnitude earthquake hit 121 mi (195 km) further south. An even stronger magnitude 7 earthquake struck on December 5th, 2024.

In total, 81 earthquakes with a magnitude of 4.4 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.

Tsunami very unlikely

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.

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 4.4. Earthquakes of this strength are unlikely to trigger a tsunami.	This earthquake occurred at a depth of of 2 mi (4 km). Earthquakes this shallow could trigger a tsunami.

Sources

Last updated 08/05/26 07:38 (). 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.