Did San Francisco Bay Area get hit with an earthquake? Everything to know as affected residents take to X to share their experiences

Residents of the San Francisco Bay Area were jolted awake when an earthquake of magnitude 4.6 struck the city at around 3 am on September 22, 2025. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) noted that the quake hit east-southeast of Berkeley at 2:56 am on Monday and spread across parts of California with a depth of 4.8 miles. However, later reports downgraded the quake to 4.3 magnitude.

The quake's epicentre was reportedly located in the Elmwood area, at the intersection of Dwight Way and Piedmont Avenue. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, the earthquake occurred in the vicinity of the Hayward Fault, which runs through Oakland and Fremont.

The quake caused an intense shake and woke several residents, who also reportedly received phone alerts. Following the earthquake, the San Francisco Fire Department took to X to warn residents and offer tips in the event of a recurrence and aftershocks.

"At 2:56 AM an earthquake registering 4.6 occurred in the Bay Area, near Berkeley, CA. Currently, there are no reports of damage or injuries in San Francisco. Officials will continue to evaluate infrastructure and update if this changes," the post stated.

It continued:

"After the Earthquake Be prepared for aftershocks: Expect the ground to shake again. Check for hazards: Look for gas leaks and other dangers. Follow official instructions: Stay informed and follow the guidance of public safety officials. If trapped: Stay calm, bang on a pipe or wall, or use a whistle to alert rescuers."

As of this article, no damage has been reported, but smaller aftershocks can be expected. The United States Geological Survey added:

"There is a low likelihood of casualties and damage."

The National Tsunami Warning Center also confirmed that a tsunami is not expected from the 4.3 magnitude earthquake. Following this, residents took to X to share their experiences, with one netizen writing that the event "scared the s**t" out of them.

Others posted that they couldn't go back to sleep after waking up.

---

San Francisco is a known hotspot for earthquakes

San Francisco is a hotspot for earthquakes due to its unique position. The city is on the North American tectonic plate and partially divided by the San Andreas Fault line. It is also situated near the Pacific Ring of Fire, where approximately 75% of the world's seismic activity occurs.

One of the most catastrophic earthquakes to hit the city occurred on April 18, 1906. Dubbed the "Great 1906 San Francisco Earthquake," the quake ruptured the San Andreas fault with a magnitude of 7.9. According to First Post, people who experienced the natural calamity described the sound similar to "the roar of 10,000 lions."

Houses after the 1906 earthquake (Image via Getty)

The quake killed over 3000 people, destroyed 30,000 buildings, and 80% of the city fell into rubble or burned down in the fires. According to CBS News, the city commemorated 119 years since the disaster in April 2025, with residents gathering at Lotta's Fountain at Market and Kearney streets. Mayor Daniel Lurie delivered a speech to mark the event, saying:

"This event, this commemoration, just gives me hope and inspiration. We should all have that optimism that they had after this catastrophe, because they brought it back. And we're going to bring San Francisco back again. We know that another earthquake can strike at any moment. And I know our first responders are preparing every single day. We are ready and we continue to prepare ourselves for whatever comes next," he said.

---

The earthquake in San Francisco occurred weeks after an 8.8 magnitude earthquake struck Russia in July 2025. According to ABC News, this earthquake resulted in tsunami waves being recorded in Hawaii and other coastal areas in the Pacific US, including California.

Edited by Juhi Marzia