Berkeley, CA – A light earthquake shook parts of the East Bay early Thursday, with the epicenter located near Route 24, just south of Panoramic Hill in the Berkeley Hills area.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the magnitude 2.5 earthquake struck at 3:55 a.m. local time (10:55 UTC) about 3 kilometers east-southeast of Berkeley, at a depth of 8.7 kilometers. The tremor was centered between the Claremont and Rockridge neighborhoods, close to the Route 24 and Tunnel Road interchange.
Residents in Berkeley, Oakland, and nearby hillside communities reported brief shaking but no damage. USGS data shows a Community Intensity Level IV (light shaking) response, mostly in the Claremont and Panoramic Hill areas.
Seismologists note that the event occurred along the Hayward Fault Zone, part of Northern California’s active seismic region. While no aftershocks have been recorded, the USGS reminds residents that smaller quakes often precede or follow regional microseismic activity.
Local officials urge residents to review emergency plans and ensure supplies are up to date — even minor quakes can serve as important preparedness reminders.
