June 7: 2.2 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Near Walker, California

Alpine County, CA - A 2.2 magnitude earthquake shook the area near Walker on Sunday morning, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

The tremor struck at 2:08 a.m. and occurred at a depth of 3 miles with the epicenter approximately 8 miles southwest of Walker.

If you felt the earthquake, you can share your experience using the USGS Felt Report form.

Understanding Earthquakes

Magnitude measures the energy released at the source of the earthquake, says the U.S. Geological Survey. It replaces the old Richter scale. Quakes between 2.5 and 5.4 magnitude are often felt but rarely cause significant damage, according to Michigan Tech. Earthquakes below 2.5 magnitude are seldom felt by most people.

Earthquakes can cause fires, tsunamis, landslides, or avalanches, and can occur anywhere, but are most common in Alaska, California, Hawaii, Oregon, Puerto Rico, and Washington, according to the Department of Homeland Security.

It's estimated that there are 500,000 detectable earthquakes in the world each year. 100,000 of those can be felt, and 100 of them cause damage.

What to Do During an Earthquake

When an earthquake strikes, it's essential to protect yourself immediately. Here are expert tips:

If you're in a car: Pull over and stop. Set your parking brake.

If you're in bed: Turn face-down and cover your head with a pillow.

If you're outdoors: Stay away from buildings. Don't go inside.

If you're inside: Stay and don't run outdoors. Stay away from doorways.

The best way to protect yourself during an earthquake is to drop, cover, and hold on, officials say. "Wherever you are, drop down to your hands and knees and hold onto something sturdy," officials say. "If you're using a wheelchair or walker with a seat, make sure your wheels are locked and remain seated until the shaking stops." Be sure to cover your head and neck with your arms, and crawl under a sturdy table if possible. If no shelter is available, crawl to an interior wall away from windows. Once under a table, officials say you should hold on with one hand and be ready to move with it.

There can be serious hazards after an earthquake, such as damage to the building, leaking gas and water lines, or downed power lines, officials say. Expect aftershocks to follow the main shock of an earthquake. Be ready to Drop, Cover, and Hold On if you feel an aftershock," officials say.

Source: The U.S. Geological Survey

This article was generated by the CA Earthquake Bot, software that analyzes structured information, such as data, and applies it to articles based on templates created by journalists in the newsroom. No human journalist was harmed in this experiment. You can report errors or bugs to [email protected].

This story was originally published June 15, 2026, at 6:25 p.m.

Part of the McClatchy Media Network.