November 20, 2025
SAN RAMON, CA – A 3.2 magnitude earthquake briefly rattled residents across the densely populated San Francisco Bay Area early Thursday morning, reaffirming the region’s seismic vulnerability as the tremor struck within miles of more than two million residents.
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) recorded the seismic event at 10:27 a.m. ET (7:27 a.m. local time). The epicenter was pinpointed near the East Bay communities of San Ramon and Danville, occurring close to one of the most active fault lines on the West Coast.
Although the magnitude was low, the quake’s location meant shaking was widely felt across major metropolitan areas. The epicenter was located less than 25 miles from downtown San Francisco (population over 800,000) and was only 19 miles from Oakland and 12 miles from Concord. These nearby cities and surrounding communities collectively house an estimated 1.5 million people, highlighting the density of the area affected by the minor jolt.
Widespread Reports, Minimal Impact
More than 300 individuals, primarily those closest to the epicenter in the Danville area, reported feeling the tremor to the USGS almost immediately after the event. Shaking was noticed across a wide geographic footprint, including parts of Oakland, Berkeley, and even across the San Francisco Bay.
Despite the widespread feeling, the USGS classified the shaking intensity as "weak," confirming there was no threat of significant damage. Earthquakes that fall within the 2.5–5.4 magnitude range are typically felt but rarely cause more than minor household disturbances, like items shifting on shelves.
Crucially, authorities confirmed there were no immediate reports of structural damage, utility disruptions, or injuries linked to the brief seismic activity.
The event serves as a routine reminder for Bay Area residents of the region’s constant tectonic activity, which sits directly adjacent to some of the nation's most geologically active and dangerous fault lines.