Twin earthquakes just shook the San Francisco Bay Area and Milpitas last Sunday, with tremors occurring just hours apart. These quakes took place along the area of the Calaveras Reservoir.


Twin Quakes

According to reports from officials, these quakes happened within the same general area in the Northern region of California this Sunday. Both had a magnitude of 3.4 and occurred within a few hours of each other.

The magnitudes were felt noticeably by those indoors at the time, especially the people in the higher buildings' floors.

According to the USGS or US Geological Survey, the first earthquake occurred at 3:54 PM local time, at 3.3 miles depth, and not further than six miles northeast from Milpitas, along the area of the Calaveras Reservoir.

After that, the second earthquake reportedly occurred roughly 10:20 PM local time, at 2.7 miles depth, in the same area.

No damages to property or injuries have so far been reported from the two quakes. 

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Tremors in nearby areas

According to reports that the USGS gathered, residents felt tremors in various parts of the San Francisco Bay Area, including Fremont, several San Jose, and Milpitas areas.

Meanwhile, according to a report from the East Bay Times, more than a month had passed when two shallow and similarly intense earthquakes also occurred in the reservoir area.


The Ring of Fire

The region is part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, an area circling and outlining the Pacific Ocean. It is a system of seismic faults where most of the subduction zones of the planet are located. It measures approximately 25,000 miles.

In this region, lighter continental plates slide over oceanic plates, and earthquakes are more likely to occur because the sliding plates subside, collide, scrape, and move over and below one another, creating disturbances on the surface. If it appears on the water, tsunamis can be created as well.

The Ring of Fire is also called the Circum-Pacific Seismic Belt. It is a path known to have active volcanoes. Seventy percent of the volcanoes on Earth and ninety percent of its earthquakes are located and occur in this region.

READ ALSO: Magnitude 4.2 Earthquake Shakes Istanbul Area


California's earthquake alert system

California has a new earthquake alert system that provides earthquake warnings to a unique app plus a wireless system that provides Amber Alerts. Researchers from UC and Berkeley developed the app. UC Berkeley Seismological Lab director Richard Allen provided insights on the course here.

On average, there are 234 earthquakes in Nevada and California occurring each year. These quakes usually have magnitudes ranging from 3.0-4.0.


Earthquake Preparedness

Despite our most advanced warning systems, we can never know when a devastating quake will hit, especially the much-feared Big One; thus, it pays to be prepared.

Follow the easy 5-step guide for earthquake preparedness and never be caught with your pants down when one hits your area.

It is also worth having an emergency kit always ready and handy wherever you are. Especially when you live in or near California, particularly the San Francisco Bay Area and Milpitas, twin earthquakes and tremors can and are quite frightening, especially for the unprepared.

READ: Deep Underground Forces Explain Quakes and Tremors Experienced Along the San Andreas Fault

Check out more news and information on San Andreas Fault on Nature World News.