Widespread Shaking Reported
More than 22,000 people reported feeling the quake within the first hours, according to the USGS. Residents from Salinas in the south to Santa Rosa in the north, and as far east as Stockton, said their homes and workplaces rattled. “Things were shaking in our newsroom,” wrote Dave Clark, a KTVU-TV anchor. “It caught everyone off guard.”
Social media quickly filled with accounts from startled Bay Area residents who were jolted awake by the shaking. Despite the widespread reports, San Francisco’s Department of Emergency Management confirmed that there were no injuries or major damages reported in the immediate aftermath.
A magnitude 4.3 earthquake struck in Berkeley at 2:56 am on Sept. 22, 2025.
Impact on Transit and Emergency Response
Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) announced that trains were running at reduced speeds while safety inspections were carried out systemwide. Commuters were advised to expect delays of up to 20 minutes throughout the morning. San Francisco Mayor Dan Lurie reassured residents that first responders were actively monitoring the situation, promising updates if any significant impacts emerged.
Meanwhile, the city’s 911 services noted a spike in calls right after the quake, though none required urgent medical or fire response.
Seismic Risk and Aftershock Possibility
The earthquake struck close to the Hayward Fault, one of the most active and dangerous seismic zones in California. Notably, the fault runs directly beneath UC Berkeley’s Memorial Stadium, a fact that has long been a concern for seismologists.
The USGS also issued an aftershock forecast:
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24% chance of a magnitude 3.0 or greater aftershock within the next week.
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3% chance of another earthquake of magnitude 4.0 or higher in the same period.
While these probabilities are relatively modest, experts emphasize that residents should remain prepared for the possibility of additional tremors.
Community Reaction
The quake served as a reminder of the Bay Area’s seismic vulnerability. For many, it was a wake-up call—literally and figuratively—about earthquake preparedness. “It’s a sharp reminder that the Hayward Fault is active and right in our backyard,” noted Horst Rademacher, a researcher at the Berkeley Seismological Laboratory.
Emergency officials reiterated standard earthquake safety guidelines: secure heavy furniture, prepare emergency kits, and know evacuation routes.
Although the 4.3-magnitude quake did not cause injuries or significant damage, its proximity to the Hayward Fault underscores the ever-present seismic risks in Northern California. For Bay Area residents, Monday’s jolt was not only a disruption of sleep but also a reminder of the importance of readiness in earthquake country.
The San Francisco skyline and the eastern span of the Bay Bridge are shown from Berkeley, California, in December 2017. Photograph: Jeff Chiu/AP