On Wednesday night, residents near Ridgecrest, California, felt the earth tremble beneath them as a preliminary magnitude 3.0 earthquake struck the region, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The quake, which occurred at 9:28 p.m. local time on January 7, 2026, had its epicenter located about eight miles east-northeast of Ridgecrest and originated at a depth of five miles. While the shaking was categorized as weak, it was nonetheless noticed by locals, with 15 people submitting their experiences through the USGS Felt Report form.
"Did you feel it?" That’s the question many in the Ridgecrest area were asking after the tremor. The USGS encourages residents to share their experiences, helping scientists better understand how earthquakes are felt across different regions and structures. According to the agency’s DYFI (Did You Feel It?) report, several Ridgecrest residents and people in surrounding communities reported experiencing the quake. Though the shaking was mild, it served as a reminder of the region’s seismic activity.
This event in California was not isolated. Just a day later, on January 8, 2026, a much stronger earthquake—a magnitude 5.5—struck northern Peru. The German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ) provided details of the Peruvian quake, which rattled communities and underscored the unpredictable nature of seismic events worldwide. While the quakes differed in magnitude and impact, both incidents highlight the ever-present risk of earthquakes in vulnerable regions.
Ridgecrest itself is no stranger to seismic activity. Over the past week, another earthquake—a magnitude 3.3—was reported close to the same area on January 6, 2026. Though these quakes are considered minor, they serve as a stark reminder that California is one of the most earthquake-prone states in the U.S., alongside Alaska, Hawaii, Oregon, Washington, and Puerto Rico, as noted by the Department of Homeland Security.
To put things in perspective, the USGS states that magnitude measures the energy released at the source of an earthquake, a method that has replaced the older Richter scale. For most people, quakes between 2.5 and 5.4 magnitude are often felt but rarely cause significant damage. Events below 2.5 are seldom noticed, while those over 5.4 can potentially result in more serious consequences. Globally, it’s estimated that there are 500,000 detectable earthquakes each year. Of these, about 100,000 are felt by people, and approximately 100 cause real damage.
So, what exactly should you do if you find yourself in the middle of an earthquake? Experts agree: the best course of action is to drop, cover, and hold on. The USGS and other safety officials provide clear, practical tips for different situations. If you’re in a car, pull over and stop, setting your parking brake. If you’re in bed, turn face-down and cover your head with a pillow. Outdoors? Stay away from buildings and don’t go inside. For those indoors, it’s recommended to stay put and avoid running outside or standing in doorways.
"Wherever you are, drop down to your hands and knees and hold onto something sturdy," officials advise. "If you’re using a wheelchair or walker with a seat, make sure your wheels are locked and remain seated until the shaking stops." The idea is to protect your head and neck—crawling under a sturdy table if possible, or moving to an interior wall away from windows if no shelter is available. Once you’re under a table, hold on with one hand and be ready to move with it if it shifts during the shaking.
But the danger doesn’t always end with the initial tremor. "There can be serious hazards after an earthquake, such as damage to the building, leaking gas and water lines, or downed power lines," officials warn. Aftershocks are common and can follow the main shock, sometimes causing additional damage or panic. The advice remains the same: be ready to drop, cover, and hold on if you feel an aftershock.
While the Ridgecrest quake caused little more than a momentary jolt and a few nervous glances at the ceiling, it’s worth remembering that even small earthquakes can serve as important reminders to review safety plans, check emergency supplies, and stay informed about local risks. For those living in earthquake-prone areas, preparedness isn’t just a good idea—it’s a necessity.
Meanwhile, the magnitude 5.5 earthquake in northern Peru, as reported by the GFZ, was a more forceful reminder of the power of seismic events. Though details about damage or injuries were not immediately available, quakes of this size can sometimes result in structural damage, landslides, or even tsunamis, depending on their depth and proximity to populated areas. Peru, like California, sits along the Pacific "Ring of Fire," a zone known for its frequent and sometimes devastating earthquakes.
Globally, the science of earthquake detection and reporting continues to improve. Agencies like the USGS and GFZ work tirelessly to collect data, refine models, and provide timely alerts to the public. Community participation, such as submitting "felt reports," adds a valuable layer of information that helps scientists understand how seismic energy is distributed and experienced on the ground. This, in turn, can inform building codes, emergency response plans, and public education campaigns.
It’s easy to become complacent, especially when most earthquakes are minor and cause little or no damage. But as history has shown, even regions accustomed to seismic activity can be caught off guard by larger, more destructive events. The 2019 Ridgecrest earthquakes, for example, included a magnitude 6.4 foreshock followed by a 7.1 main shock, causing significant damage and reminding Californians of the ever-present risk beneath their feet.
For now, residents in Ridgecrest and northern Peru are counting themselves lucky that the latest tremors were not more serious. Still, the message from scientists and safety officials is clear: stay prepared, stay informed, and never take the ground beneath you for granted. Earthquakes may be unpredictable, but our response doesn’t have to be.
