Magnitude 3.0 Earthquake Shakes Monterey County, No Damage Reported

A magnitude 3.0 earthquake struck Monterey County, California, on Wednesday night, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The temblor occurred at 9:10 p.m. near the unincorporated community of Aromas and was felt in parts of Salinas. No initial reports of damage or injuries have been confirmed.

The quake was measured at a depth of more than 4 miles, making it relatively shallow. Residents in the area reported feeling the tremor, with some describing it as a brief, sharp jolt. The USGS’s ‘Did You Feel It?’ map showed that the earthquake was most strongly felt in Aromas and surrounding areas.

This event comes just days after a much larger 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck Humboldt County in Northern California. That quake, which occurred on Tuesday, caused minimal damage despite its significant magnitude, offering a sense of relief to residents and officials.

Earthquakes are not uncommon in California, which sits on the seismically active Pacific Ring of Fire. The state experiences thousands of tremors each year, though most are too small to be felt. The USGS continues to monitor seismic activity in the region and urges residents to remain prepared for potential aftershocks or larger quakes.