3.1-magnitude earthquake rattles part of California, geologists say

A 3.1-magnitude earthquake rattled part of California on Wednesday, July 13, geologists said.

The earthquake shook Gilroy, about 30 miles southeast of San Jose, the U.S. Geological Survey reported. Shaking started shortly after 9 a.m.

Weak shaking from the earthquake could be felt in Morgan Hill, Watsonville, Berkeley and near San Francisco, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

A 3.1-magnitude earthquake may be smaller than some California residents are used to. But dozens of people still reported feeling the earthquake.

More than 35 people reported feeling the earthquake to the USGS within 30 minutes.

Magnitude measures the energy released at the source of the earthquake, the U.S. Geological Survey says. It replaces the old Richter scale.

Quakes between 2.5 and 5.4 magnitude are often felt but rarely cause much damage, according to Michigan Tech. Quakes below 2.5 magnitude are seldom felt by most people.

This story was originally published July 13, 2022 at 12:00 PM with the headline "3.1-magnitude earthquake rattles part of California, geologists say."