Northern California Jolted Awake by Early Morning Earthquake

A magnitude 4.6 earthquake shook Northern California early Thursday, with residents feeling the tremor across a 161-kilometer stretch including San Francisco. Centered near Boulder Creek, the quake caused no serious damage. Earlier in February, a series of small quakes hit the San Francisco Bay Area, indicating a history of earthquake swarms.

Early Thursday morning, a magnitude 4.6 earthquake shook Northern California, affecting a 161-kilometer stretch of the region, including San Francisco. Residents reported feeling their homes shaking for a few seconds during the quake.

The epicenter was located just 1.6 kilometers from Boulder Creek in the Santa Cruz Mountains, according to the US Geological Survey, and occurred at approximately 1:40 a.m. Fortunately, there were no immediate reports of serious damage in the area.

This event follows a series of smaller earthquakes that struck the San Francisco Bay Area in February, with the most substantial being a magnitude 4.2. Seismology experts note that the region has experienced earthquake swarms over the years.

(With inputs from agencies.)