Tuesday afternoon in Napa County brought a reminder that the ground beneath the North Bay isn’t always as stable as we’d like to think. At 2:30 p.m., the U.S. Geological Survey recorded a magnitude 3.6 earthquake centered in the Angwin area, northeast of Santa Rosa, with a depth of 3.9 miles.
While a 3.6 magnitude quake won’t make headlines for catastrophic damage, it was noticeable enough that light shaking was reported across the region. The real story? It wasn’t alone. Just three minutes later, at 2:33 p.m., a magnitude 2.6 aftershock rattled the same area—a common pattern when tectonic plates decide to shift.
For anyone in the Angwin area or nearby communities, these back-to-back temblors were a stark reminder of where we live. Northern California sits atop some of the most active seismic zones in the state, so earthquakes aren’t anomalies here—they’re part of life in wine country and the greater Bay Area. Most of us have learned to live with them: secure heavy furniture, keep an emergency kit handy, and remember what to do when the shaking starts.
The U.S. Geological Survey continues to track seismic activity across the region, and if you’re curious about quake data in real time, they maintain detailed records and maps online. For those who felt the shake today, this is a good moment to check in: Do you have an earthquake plan? Is your emergency kit up to date?
About the Author
Andrew Johnson
Andrew Johnson is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.
