A 4.2 magnitude earthquake shook Northern California, triggering a “ShakeAlert” in the region. The quake occurred near Isleton in Sacramento County around 9:30 a.m., with no immediate reports of injuries or damage. This event came just before the annual Great ShakeOut, a global earthquake preparedness drill.
A “USGS ShakeAlert” was issued to millions of residents in Northern California, spanning from Sacramento to San Jose, as the quake was felt in various cities. The alert caused the event to appear larger than it was, showcasing the tradeoff between accuracy and speed in alerts. While it may have startled some, the primary goal is to save lives by encouraging people to seek safety.