Earthquake alert: Minor quake jolts northern California; no immediate damage reported

A minor earthquake measuring 3.5 on the Richter scale struck Northern California on Monday evening, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). The tremor was recorded at 6.37 pm Pacific Time and was centered approximately 16 miles west of Los Banos and 30 miles southeast of San Jose.

The quake was relatively shallow and minor, with no immediate reports of damage or injuries. While it was felt mildly across some nearby areas, the tremor was not severe enough to cause structural concerns. The USGS also indicated that updates to the shake-severity map may follow as scientists process additional field data.

Although Monday's quake was minor, experts caution that aftershocks — smaller tremors that follow the main event — may still occur in the same region. According to the USGS, these aftershocks are often subtle fault-line adjustments and can persist for days, weeks, or even years. In rare cases, they may rival or exceed the original quake in strength, posing further risks to already impacted areas.

No significant aftershocks have been reported yet. Authorities continue to monitor seismic activity in the region.