Breaking: Earthquake Now Rattles Santa Rosa, No Damage

Image Source: The Press Democrat

Earthquake now is the focus for residents across Santa Rosa and Sonoma County after a magnitude 3.3 temblor rattled the region Thursday morning, Sept. 3. The shaking was felt across parts of the North Bay and as far away as Hayward in the East Bay, prompting a precautionary school evacuation but causing no reported damage.

The U.S. Geological Survey initially estimated the earthquake at magnitude 3.5 before revising the measurement to 3.3 early Thursday afternoon. The quake struck shortly after 10:30 a.m. near Larkfield-Wikiup, north of Santa Rosa.

Earthquake Now: Strong Shaking Felt Across Santa Rosa

According to the USGS, the earthquake began about 2 miles east-southeast of the unincorporated Larkfield-Wikiup area. It originated roughly 4.6 miles beneath the surface, a depth that allowed the shaking to be noticed across a broad section of Sonoma County.

The strongest reports came from Santa Rosa neighborhoods including Fountaingrove and Coddingtown. Residents farther south and east also reported feeling the movement, with accounts reaching Hayward. The shaking was brief, but strong enough to surprise many people during the late morning.

Sonoma County emergency officials said they had received no reports of structural damage or injuries by Thursday afternoon. Karen Hancock, a spokesperson for the Sonoma County Department of Emergency Management, said the county had not received damage reports. Paul Lowenthal, division chief fire marshal for the Santa Rosa Fire Department, said the agency had not received calls for service related to the quake.

Santa Rosa Schools Evacuate as a Precaution

Santa Rosa High School was temporarily evacuated after the shaking, but officials did not plan an early dismissal. Santa Rosa City Schools notified families that initial inspections found school facilities safe and that campuses would continue operating normally.

Mark West School District, which serves communities near Larkfield-Wikiup, also said it did not plan to dismiss students early.

“This was good, real-life practice,” district spokesperson Patrick Gannon said, noting that earthquakes are “a reality in California that we have to be ready for.” The district planned to continue checking buildings and monitoring for possible aftershocks.

Santa Rosa City Schools is also preparing to take part in The Great California ShakeOut, a statewide earthquake preparedness drill scheduled for Oct. 15. The recent quake offered an unexpected reminder of why emergency procedures matter in classrooms, workplaces and homes.

Rodgers Creek Fault Raises Ongoing Earthquake Concerns

The earthquake occurred near the Rodgers Creek Fault, a major fault running through central Sonoma County. The fault is part of the Hayward-Rodgers Creek fault system, which stretches through the North Bay and East Bay and is capable of producing much larger earthquakes.

Santa Rosa has experienced damaging earthquakes in the past. Two temblors, measuring magnitudes 5.6 and 5.7, struck near the city along the Rodgers Creek Fault in October 1969. The earthquakes caused significant damage to homes and businesses.

More recently, magnitude 4.4 and 4.3 earthquakes shook the Larkfield area in September 2022, damaging several homes. Those events remain part of the region’s seismic history and help explain why even a small earthquake can prompt immediate concern.

Several Santa Rosa City Schools campuses sit on or near portions of the fault. Gannon said the district studied the fault line last year while planning improvements to existing facilities and considering future construction.

“The more we learn about fault lines, that helps us,” Gannon said. He added that modern buildings can be placed farther from the fault as part of long-term facility planning.

Why Residents Did Not Receive an Emergency Alert

Some residents questioned why they did not receive a phone alert when the earthquake struck. Hancock explained that Sonoma County’s SoCoAlert system does not automatically send earthquake warnings.

Earthquake early warnings are generally handled through the USGS ShakeAlert system and UC Berkeley’s MyShake app. However, Thursday’s earthquake was below the level that would typically trigger either service.

• USGS wireless emergency alerts generally target earthquakes of magnitude 5 or greater.
• MyShake notifications may be issued for earthquakes of magnitude 4.5 or greater.
• The magnitude 3.3 Santa Rosa earthquake fell below both typical thresholds.

Officials Urge Preparedness After the Sudden Jolt

Hancock said the earthquake served as a timely reminder during National Preparedness Month. Residents should identify safe places to take cover, review emergency plans with family members and coworkers, and remain alert after shaking stops.

The recommended response during an earthquake is to drop, cover and hold on. Aftershocks can follow even a relatively small temblor, making it important to stay prepared rather than assume the danger has completely passed.

For Sonoma County residents, the earthquake was minor in size but significant as a practice run. With the Rodgers Creek Fault running through the region, officials say preparedness should remain part of everyday planning.

Frequently Asked Questions

When did the earthquake strike near Santa Rosa?

The earthquake struck shortly after 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026, near the Larkfield-Wikiup area north of Santa Rosa.

How strong was the Santa Rosa earthquake?

The USGS revised the earthquake’s magnitude from an initial estimate of 3.5 to 3.3. It originated about 4.6 miles underground.

Was there damage from the earthquake?

No damage or injuries were reported by Sonoma County emergency officials or the Santa Rosa Fire Department as of Thursday afternoon.

Why did some schools evacuate?

Santa Rosa High School evacuated as a precaution so staff could assess the campus. Initial inspections found school facilities safe, and no early dismissals were planned.