Mon Feb 23 05:40:00 UTC 2026: # North Bay Rattled by Magnitude 4.3 Earthquake Amidst Global Seismic Activity

The Story:
A preliminary magnitude 4.3 earthquake struck Sonoma County in the North Bay area of California on Saturday, February 21, 2026, at approximately 9:22 a.m., according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The epicenter was located about 3.7 miles north-northwest of the Geysers, near Healdsburg. The quake was initially measured at a magnitude of 3.9 before being revised upward by the USGS.

While the earthquake’s epicenter was in a rural area, shaking was felt across the wider Bay Area, including San Francisco, Novato, and Napa. This event occurs against a backdrop of ongoing earthquake swarms in San Ramon and the known seismic activity of the Geysers geothermal field.

Key Points:

  • A preliminary magnitude 4.3 earthquake struck Sonoma County on February 21, 2026.
  • The epicenter was located near the Geysers geothermal field.
  • Shaking was felt throughout the wider Bay Area.
  • The Geysers is known for its seismic activity, possibly linked to geothermal plant operations.
  • The USGS estimates the largest potential quake at the Geysers to be around magnitude 4.5.
  • San Ramon has experienced earthquake swarms for months prior to this event.

Key Takeaways:

  • The North Bay earthquake highlights the ongoing seismic activity in California, particularly around known fault lines and geothermal areas.
  • The Geysers geothermal field is a potential source of induced seismicity, requiring careful monitoring and management of geothermal operations.
  • While the magnitude of this quake was relatively small, it serves as a reminder of the constant earthquake risk in the Bay Area.
  • The timing of the event comes amidst a series of global earthquakes, including a significant 7.1 magnitude quake in eastern Malaysia and a 6.3 magnitude quake near Alaska, suggesting a period of increased global seismic activity.

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