As explained by the U.S. Geological Survey, t there is an even chance an earthquake will occur in any type of weather condition. But major storm systems such as tropical cyclones (hurricanes or typhoons) associated with low-pressure changes in the atmosphere can induce fault slips and, in turn, earthquakes.
Earthquakes are caused when stresses in the Earth's outer layer push the sides of a fault together, eventually causing rocks to slip and release energy. That energy comes in waves and is what we feel during earthquakes. The link between low-pressure storm systems and earthquakes is not uniform.
In latest news, a shallow magnitude 3.4 earthquake was reported Thursday evening, Sept. 15, six miles from San Jose, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The temblor occurred at 6:17 p.m. Pacific time at a depth of 0 miles.
According to the USGS, the epicenter was one mile from East Foothills, Calif., two miles from Alum Rock, five miles from Milpitas and 82 miles from Sacramento.
In the past 10 days, there has been one earthquake of magnitude 3.0 or greater centered nearby.
Tip! Find out the things to do to prepare for an earthquake and what to do once the ground starts shaking featured at National Geographic.