Earthquake in California: 4.3 Magnitude Quake Hits Berkeley, Reports USGS

BERKELEY, Calif. — A magnitude 4.3 earthquake struck in Berkeley, California early Monday morning, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

The quake struck at 2:56 a.m. and had a depth of about 4.8 miles. It was originally reported as a magnitude 4.6, but was then downgraded.

The temblor on the Hayward fault line was felt in much of the Bay Area.

The Shake Alert system has been activated, and although there are no reports of injuries or damage yet, many people throughout the Bay Area felt the tremor.

A map from the USGS indicates that the most intense shaking was experienced in the East Bay, but reports show people felt the tremors as far north as Santa Rosa and as far south as Salinas.

USGS Seismologist Sarah Minson explained to our sister station that this is classified as a small earthquake, despite the fact that the shaking was sufficient to awaken residents across the Bay Area this morning.

“Shaking varies greatly depending on one’s location, the type of building, and the land underneath,” said Minson. “Nevertheless, given this is such a low magnitude earthquake, the shaking is generally mild everywhere, though intense enough for people to notice, be unsettled by it, and possibly knock over items near the epicenter. However, we usually would not expect structural damage from such a minor earthquake.”

The reminder from both the USGS and local first responders is to get and stay prepared for an earthquake larger than Monday morning’s.