The United States Geological Survey recorded a Magnitude 4.1 Earthquake at a depth of about 13 km about 6 km to the east of Yountville in Napa County, California, slightly after 7.50 pm local time on Thursday 21 May 2015 (slightly after 2.50 am on Friday 22 May, GMT). There are no reports if any damage or injuries associated with this event, though it was felt across much of Napa and Sonoma counties.
The approximate location of the 22 May 2015 Napa County Earthquake. Google Maps.
California is extremely prone to Earthquakes due to the presence of the San Andreas Fault, a tectonic plate margin that effectively bisects the state. The west of California, including Santa Barbara and Los Angeles, is located on the Pacific Plate, and is moving to the northwest. The east of California, including Fresno and Bakersfield is on the North American Plate, and is moving to the southeast. The plates do not move smoothly past one-another, but constantly stick together then break apart as the pressure builds up. This has led to a network of smaller faults that criss-cross the state, so that Earthquakes can effectively occur anywhere.
The extent of and movement on the San Andreas Fault. Geology.
See also...
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