A magnitude 5.6 earthquake hit near Redwood Valley, California, on Wednesday morning, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The tremor was recorded at about 8:10 a.m., with an epicenter roughly 7 miles north of Redwood Valley and a depth of about 5 miles.
The shaking was widely felt. More than 5,200 people submitted online reports to the USGS describing conditions that ranged from strong to very strong shaking, including reports from communities as far away as Reno and Sparks in Nevada, and cities in California such as Marina and Hollister.
For the construction and building safety community, the USGS structure summary is a key detail. The agency noted that most people in the region live in structures considered highly resistant to earthquake shaking, but some vulnerable structures remain. The predominant vulnerable building types identified include unreinforced brick masonry and reinforced masonry construction.
The USGS also issued a yellow alert for economic losses, meaning some damage is possible and impacts should be relatively localized. A green alert for shaking-related fatalities indicates a low likelihood of casualties. The agency added that recent earthquakes in the area have produced secondary hazards such as landslides and liquefaction that can contribute to losses.
For mason contractors and building owners, a strong shaking report is a reminder to take post-event building conditions seriously. Officials warn there can be serious hazards after an earthquake, including damage to the building, leaking gas and water lines, and downed power lines. If you feel an aftershock, the recommended response is to drop, cover, and hold on.
The region has also seen multiple smaller earthquakes in the past week, including a 3.1 magnitude quake detected near The Geysers on June 20.
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