San Francisco Earthquake 2024 Cause. San francisco ‒ a magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck near the town of petrolia on thursday at 10:44 a.m. Southern california earthquake center researchers said there is an 80 to 90 percent chance an earthquake of magnitude 7.0 or greater will hit southern california before.

Firefighters with the san francisco fire department monitor ocean beach after a 7.0 earthquake in northern california triggered a tsunami warning, in san francisco, thursday, dec. Highway overpasses, office buildings and parking garages collapsed in the violent shaking that lasted a painful 10 to 20 seconds along a fault scientists didn’t even know existed.