A 3.0 magnitude earthquake jolted Fontana and surrounding Inland Empire communities Sunday evening, sending social media into a frenzy with searches spiking
for "earthquake now Fontana" and nearby cities like Rialto, San Bernardino, Riverside, and Jurupa Valley. The US Geological Survey pinned the epicenter 4 miles north-northeast of Fontana at a shallow 5-mile depth, striking at 5:41 p.m. local time. Eleven people logged "Did You Feel It?" reports, describing weak shaking but no widespread disruption or harm. Such low-intensity quakes—between 2.5 and 5.4 on the moment magnitude scale—often register human senses without structural fallout, per Michigan Tech seismologists. California's San Andreas and local faults fuel frequent activity, placing the state among top US hotspots alongside Alaska and Hawaii. No immediate aftershocks reported, though USGS monitors closely. Residents in Colton, Riverside, and Colton areas felt the rumble, prompting safety reminders. Experts stress the "drop, cover, and hold on" drill: crouch under sturdy tables, shield head and neck, grip tight for movement. Trending Searches Signal Public Jitters Online buzz exploded with "earthquake now near me" and "earthquake San Bernardino today," reflecting SoCal's quake vigilance. Fontana's position near active faults amplifies felt reports. USGS DYFI data confirms light effects, easing panic. Global stats underscore rarity of big events: 500,000 detectable quakes yearly, just 100 damaging. Hazards like fires or slides lurk post-shake from ruptured lines. DHS lists California high-risk for tsunamis too. Preparation trumps prediction. Bed-bound folks roll face-down, pillow overhead. Outdoor strollers shun buildings. Drivers pull over, brake set. Wheelchair users lock wheels, stay seated. Aftershocks demand readiness—expect them trailing mains. Inspect gas leaks, downed wires before re-entering. Stock kits with water, radios, meds for outages. Safety Drills Save Lives in Quake Country USGS drills prioritize interior walls over doorways, windows. Hold one-handed under tables, ready to shuffle. Post-quake checks avert secondary woes like gas blasts. Inland Empire builds resiliently, yet vigilance endures. Fontana locals shrugged it off, but trends show nerves. No evacuations needed; utilities stable. Michigan Tech notes sub-2.5 quakes go unfelt by most. Sunday's hit the sweet spot for notice without news. Community reports aid USGS modeling. SoCal's 2026 swarm continues, reminding preparedness. Apps like MyShake alert seconds ahead. Bolts, straps secure homes proactively.
