5.6 Earthquake Rattles Mendocino County on Wednesday Morning

A magnitude 5.6 earthquake struck parts of Northern California on [date], causing widespread shaking and prompting residents to seek safety. The quake occurred at 8:10 a.m., with its epicenter located in a rural area of the region.

Within minutes, a magnitude 2.0 aftershock was recorded, heightening concerns about additional seismic activity.

Local authorities reported no immediate casualties or major structural damage, but emergency services are conducting assessments across affected areas. The earthquake was felt as far away as the San Francisco Bay Area, with social media users reporting shaking that lasted several seconds.

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) confirmed the event and noted that aftershocks are likely in the coming days.

Residents are urged to review earthquake preparedness plans and secure heavy furniture. Schools and businesses in the impacted zones have been advised to check for safety hazards.

This event serves as a reminder of the seismic risks in California, where the Pacific and North American tectonic plates interact. Experts recommend having emergency kits, knowing safe spots, and practicing drop, cover, and hold on drills.

The National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) filed a motion Tuesday for a preliminary injunction to immediately stop mining operations at the Colosseum Mine within Mojave National Preserve, a unit of the National Park System located near Amboy in Kern County, California.

Mining at the Colosseum Mine ended in 1993, and the National Park Service was in the final stages of reclaiming the site for public use. However, in April 2025, the Trump administration reversed course and approved new mining at the location.

Recent activity including grading, bulldozing, and road construction has caused documented, irreparable damage to the fragile desert landscape and has restricted public access to the preserve.

The NPCA, represented by Earthjustice, filed a lawsuit in April 2025 challenging the administration's decision to allow operations to resume, alleging violations of multiple federal laws that protect national parks from harmful mining impacts. The motion for an injunction asks the court to intervene to protect this desert environment, which Congress designated for perpetual preservation under the 1994 California Desert Protection Act.

“What’s happening right now at Mojave National Preserve is gut-wrenching,” said Chance Wilcox, NPCA’s California Desert Program Manager. “To see parts of this landscape, in the heart of the Clark Mountains, being stripped bare and graded down to dirt is hard to put into words.

We can’t sit by and allow irreparable damage to change this place that was promised to future generations, and that’s why we’re urging the court to step in to protect the park now.”

Earthjustice Attorney Katrina Tomas added, “Bulldozing, road construction, and mining within the Mojave National Preserve will irreversibly harm the desert landscape in one of our most treasured public places. The Colosseum Mine is proceeding with operations despite being in violation of national environmental laws.

We’re seeking a preliminary injunction to halt this destruction before it’s too late.”

The Colosseum Mine is located in the Clark Mountains within Mojave National Preserve. The NPCA's legal action seeks to prevent further environmental harm while the underlying lawsuit proceeds.

The National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) has filed a motion for a preliminary injunction to immediately halt unlawful mining operations at the Colosseum Mine within Mojave National Preserve, a unit of the National Park System. The filing, made on June 24, 2026, in Los Angeles, seeks to stop further damage to the fragile desert landscape in the Clark Mountains near Amboy, California, in Kern County.

Mining at Colosseum ceased in 1993, and the National Park Service was in the final stages of reclaiming the site and returning it to public use. However, in April 2025, the Trump administration reversed course and approved new mining activity.

Recent grading, bulldozing, and road development have caused documented, irreparable harm to the desert environment and have limited public access to the preserve.

The NPCA, represented by Earthjustice, filed a lawsuit in April 2025 challenging the administration's decision, alleging violations of multiple federal laws designed to protect national parks from harmful mining impacts. Through the request for an injunction, the NPCA is asking the court to intervene to protect the area that Congress designated for perpetual preservation under the 1994 California Desert Protection Act.

Chance Wilcox, NPCA's California Desert Program Manager, expressed deep concern, stating that witnessing parts of the landscape being stripped bare and graded down to dirt is gut-wrenching. He emphasized that the organization cannot allow irreparable damage to alter a place promised to future generations and is urging the court to step in immediately.

Katrina Tomas, an Earthjustice attorney, added that bulldozing, road construction, and mining within the preserve will irreversibly harm the desert landscape in one of the nation's most treasured public places. She noted that the Colosseum Mine is proceeding with operations despite violating national environmental laws and stressed the need for a preliminary injunction to halt the destruction before it is too late.

A moderate earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 5.6 struck Mendocino County on [date], according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

The quake was centered near the city of Willits, where shaking was described as “strong” on the Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale. The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office in Willits reported receiving numerous calls from residents who felt the temblor, though no immediate injuries or major damage were reported.

Shaking intensity varied across the region. In Ukiah, the shaking was classified as “moderate,” while Fort Bragg, Lakeport, Clearlake, and Cloverdale experienced “light” shaking.

Sonoma County cities including Santa Rosa, Rohnert Park, and Petaluma reported only “weak” shaking. The USGS noted that the earthquake was widely felt across Northern California, prompting a flurry of calls to emergency services.

Residents in Willits described the event as frightening, with the strong shaking being enough to rattle nerves and send objects falling from shelves. The quake serves as a reminder of the region’s seismic activity, which is common along the San Andreas Fault system.

Authorities are urging residents to remain vigilant and check for any structural damage or gas leaks.

The earthquake did not trigger a tsunami warning, and no significant aftershocks have been reported as of the latest update. The USGS continues to monitor the area for any subsequent seismic activity.

This event highlights the importance of earthquake preparedness in Northern California, where residents are encouraged to have emergency kits and plans in place.

Mendocino County is brimming with live music opportunities this week, from June 22 through June 28, offering a diverse array of genres and venues for all ages. The week kicks off on Monday, June 22, with a weekly jazz session hosted by the Mendocino Jazz Society at Tall Guy Brewing in Fort Bragg from 6 to 9 p.m., with no cover charge but a food or drink purchase required.

On Tuesday, accordionist Jan Kessner performs at Cucina Verona in Fort Bragg at 5 p.m., also with no cover. Wednesday features Americana artist Bar Jay Bar at the Record in Fort Bragg at 6 p.m., free of charge, along with karaoke at Coyote Valley Casino in Redwood Valley for those 21 and over from 7 to 11 p.m.

Thursday presents keyboardist Billy Schieve at the 5200 Lounge in Little River from 5:30 to 9 p.m., and open mic night at Tall Guy Brewing from 7 to 10 p.m. The weekend highlights include the Ten Mile Creek Revival festival in Laytonville, running Friday and Saturday, with a lineup of roots music acts and tickets ranging from $65 to $125.

Friday also features the One Heart Virtuoso Concert Series at the Sudhana Center Recital Hall in Ukiah, showcasing saxophonists and pianists. Saturday brings major events like Tommy Castro and the Painkillers at the Arena Theater in Point Arena, celebrating his new album "Closer to the Bone," and the Boonstock Music Festival at Anderson Valley Brewing Company in Boonville.

Sunday winds down with jazz by the Dukes of Downward Mobility at Tall Guy Brewing and a Mimosas and Music event featuring Lauralee Brown at Epperson's Music Box in Mendocino. For full details and ticket links, residents are encouraged to check individual venue websites.