Berkeley, CA – A light earthquake jolted residents across the Berkeley and Orinda areas early Wednesday morning, prompting over 140 citizen reports within hours of the shaking.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the magnitude 2.8 quake struck at 5:43 a.m. local time, centered about 3 kilometers west of Orinda at a depth of 6.9 kilometers. The event was recorded automatically by the Northern California Seismic System (NCSS), part of the California Integrated Seismic Network.
The tremor, while minor, was widely felt across Alameda and Contra Costa counties, including parts of Oakland and Berkeley. No damage or injuries have been reported as of Wednesday morning, but light shaking was confirmed in dozens of zip codes across the East Bay.
Experts note that earthquakes of this size are common in the region, which lies near the Hayward Fault. Residents are reminded to check emergency kits and review family communication plans in the event of stronger future quakes.
The USGS encourages residents who felt the shaking to submit “Did You Feel It?” reports online, which help refine seismic models and assess regional impact.
Emergency officials continue to monitor seismic activity, though no aftershocks have been recorded at this time.
