Magnitude 2.2 Earthquake Hits Near Pinnacles, CA on April 1

A preliminary magnitude 2.2 quake shook San Benito County on April 1. The U.S. Geological Survey recorded the tremor at 4:54 p.m.

Event details

The epicenter was about 2 miles north-northeast of Pinnacles. The quake occurred at a shallow depth of 0.2 miles.

If you felt the shaking, the USGS asks people to file a felt report. Officials use those reports to map shaking intensity.

Recent seismic activity nearby

A separate tremor of magnitude 2.7 was recorded near Aromas on March 30. That event was centered in the same regional network.

What magnitude means

The U.S. Geological Survey says magnitude measures the energy released at an earthquake’s source. The magnitude scale has replaced the older Richter scale.

Michigan Tech notes quakes between 2.5 and 5.4 are often felt but seldom cause major damage. Events below 2.5 are rarely noticed by most people.

Hazards and statistics

Earthquakes can trigger fires, tsunamis, landslides or avalanches. Secondary hazards can be dangerous after shaking stops.

The Department of Homeland Security lists Alaska, California, Hawaii, Oregon, Puerto Rico and Washington as states and territories with frequent earthquakes.

• About 500,000 detectable quakes occur worldwide each year.
• Roughly 100,000 of those are felt by people.
• Approximately 100 cause measurable damage annually.

Safety guidance

Officials recommend immediate protective actions when shaking begins. The core advice is to drop, cover and hold on.

• If you are in a car: pull over, stop and set the parking brake.
• If you are in bed: turn face-down and protect your head with a pillow.
• If you are outdoors: move away from buildings and do not go inside.
• If you are indoors: stay put and avoid running outside or standing in doorways.
• If you use a wheelchair or walker: lock wheels and remain seated until shaking stops.
• Cover your head and neck with your arms. Crawl under a sturdy table if possible.
• If no shelter is available, move to an interior wall away from windows.
• Hold on to shelter with one hand and be ready to shift with it as needed.

Expect aftershocks following the main shock. Officials warn about damaged structures, leaking utilities and downed power lines.

Reporting and source

The event details come from the U.S. Geological Survey. Readers can report felt shaking through the USGS Felt Report form.

This report was produced using automated monitoring data and published by Filmogaz.com. The original update was posted April 1, 2026 at 4:59 p.m.