US: Magnitude-5.3 earthquake occurs in northern California at around 03:18 May 12

Event

A magnitude-5.3 earthquake occurred in northern California at around 03:18 May 12. The epicenter was about 3 km (2 miles) south-southwest of East Shore. The tremor occurred at a depth of about 8 km (5 miles), and moderate-to-light shaking was probably felt near the epicenter, as well as light-to-weak shaking throughout parts of northern California, northwestern Nevada, and far southern Oregon. There have been no initial reports of damage or casualties as a result of the earthquake, and significant damage is unlikely. The quake was likely an aftershock from a magnitude-5.4 tremor that occurred in the same area at around 16:19 May 11. It could take several hours until authorities can conduct comprehensive damage assessments, especially in remote areas. Light aftershocks are likely over the coming days.

Officials may temporarily shut down transportation infrastructure in the tremor zone to check for damage. Minor disruptions could occur during shutdowns, but service will likely resume quickly if no damage is found. Utility outages are possible, particularly near the earthquake's epicenter.

Advice

Plan accordingly for aftershocks. Consider vacating multistory buildings if operating in affected areas until authorities confirm their structural integrity. Allow additional time for air and road travel, as aftershocks may prompt brief disruptions. Seek updated information on road conditions before driving in hilly areas in the affected region due to potential landslides.