If you’re in the South Bay and felt a sudden, sharp jolt while sipping your coffee this morning, you aren't crazy. Your monitors probably wobbled for a second. Maybe the dog barked at the wall.
A 3.1 magnitude earthquake hit just east of San Jose earlier today, specifically at 6:54 a.m. local time. It wasn't a "Big One" by any stretch, but in the quiet of a Thursday morning, it was enough to make thousands of people reach for their phones to check Twitter—or X, or whatever we're calling it this week—to see if everyone else felt it too.
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) pinned the epicenter about 14 miles east-northeast of the Alum Rock neighborhood, tucked away in the rugged hills of northeastern Santa Clara County. It was shallow, only about 5 miles deep. That’s why even though the magnitude was relatively low, folks in the East Foothills and parts of Milpitas reported a distinct "thump."
San Jose Earthquake Today Just Now: The Breakdown
Honestly, a 3.1 is basically a greeting card from the Calaveras Fault. This specific tremor occurred near the county line between Santa Clara and Alameda. While San Jose residents are used to the occasional shake, this one felt a bit more "local" than the recent swarms we’ve seen up in San Ramon or the bigger jolts coming out of the North Bay.
USGS data shows that within minutes of the shake, several people used the "Did You Feel It?" tool to report weak to light shaking. Most of these reports came from:
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- San Jose (specifically the 95127 and 95132 zip codes)
- Milpitas
- Livermore
- Pleasanton
There’s no damage reported. No cracked foundations, no broken windows. Just a reminder that we live on a tectonic jigsaw puzzle.
Why this quake felt different
Sometimes a 3.0 feels like nothing, and sometimes it feels like a truck hit your house. It all comes down to the "hypocentral depth." Since this one was only about 8.7 kilometers deep, the energy didn't have much dirt to travel through before hitting the surface. It was a quick, crisp hit.
If you were in a high-rise in Downtown San Jose, you might have felt a sway. If you were in a single-story ranch house in Willow Glen, you might have slept right through it.
Recent Activity in the South Bay
It’s been a busy week for the Bay Area. We've seen a string of small tremors. Just a few days ago, a 2.9 hit near San Ramon, and we've had constant "micro-quakes" (those tiny ones under 2.0) peppering the map from Pacifica down to Hollister.
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Some people get nervous when they see a "swarm." Seismologists like Dr. Lucy Jones—though she's more Southern California focused—often remind us that small quakes don't necessarily mean a big one is coming. They also don't "release pressure" in a way that prevents a big one. They’re just... happening.
What to Do After a Jolt Like Today’s
Even a small quake like the San Jose earthquake today is a perfect excuse to do a quick safety audit. You've probably heard this a million times, but when was the last time you actually checked your earthquake kit?
First, check your surroundings. Walk through your house. Look for things that almost fell. If a 3.1 made that heavy vase on the mantle scoot two inches, a 6.0 will turn it into a projectile. Secure it with museum wax. It’s cheap and it works.
Second, update your digital alerts. If you didn't get a notification on your phone today, it’s because the MyShake app (developed by UC Berkeley) usually only triggers for quakes magnitude 4.5 or higher, or for levels of shaking that could actually cause harm. However, it's worth making sure your "Government Alerts" are toggled on in your phone settings.
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Third, the shoes-under-the-bed trick. This is a veteran Californian move. Keep a pair of old sneakers and a flashlight in a bag tied to your bedpost. If a bigger quake hits at 2 a.m. and there’s broken glass everywhere, you don't want to be hunting for slippers in the dark.
The Science of the Alum Rock Region
The Alum Rock area is a notorious "hot spot" for these mid-range jolts. It sits near the intersection of several complex fault strands. While the San Andreas gets all the Hollywood movies, the Hayward and Calaveras faults are the ones that actually run through our backyards in the East Bay and South Bay. Today's movement was a textbook example of the strike-slip motion we expect in this corridor.
Practical Next Steps for San Jose Residents
Don't let the "quake brain" fade away by tomorrow morning. Take ten minutes today to do these three things:
- Check your gas shut-off valve. Know where it is and keep a wrench nearby. Don't shut it off unless you actually smell gas, but you need to know how to do it in a real emergency.
- Review your family meet-up plan. If cell towers go down—which they will in a major event—does everyone know which park or neighbor's house to go to?
- Download the MyShake App. Even if it didn't go off today, it's the best early-warning system we have for the big ones.
Stay safe out there. The ground is stable for now, but in San Jose, that’s always a temporary condition.