NEW IDRIA, Calif. – A light earthquake rattled parts of Central California late Friday afternoon, registering a magnitude 2.9 about 9 kilometers northwest of New Idria, according to preliminary data from the U.S. Geological Survey. The quake struck at 11:27 a.m. local time at a depth of roughly 20 kilometers.
According to the California Integrated Seismic Network, the tremor was centered in a sparsely populated section of San Benito County, southwest of the San Joaquin Valley. No damage or injuries have been reported, and no aftershocks have been confirmed as of Friday evening.
Residents across the Diablo Range and nearby towns including Hollister and Coalinga may have felt light shaking, though the quake was too weak to cause structural issues. The USGS invites local residents to report their experiences through its “Did You Feel It?” program to help refine regional intensity maps.
California experiences hundreds of minor quakes each month, most too small to be felt. Officials remind residents to review emergency plans and keep supplies on hand as seismic activity continues statewide.
No alerts or warnings remain in effect, though seismologists will continue monitoring the area through the weekend.
