4.2 Magnitude Quake Hits Bay Area
A 4.2 magnitude earthquake struck the San Francisco Bay Area on Friday. Initial reports are still emerging regarding the extent of any damage or injuries resulting from the tremor.
- The 4.2 magnitude tremor was the largest in a swarm of over 20 earthquakes that struck the San Ramon area, with the first registering as a 3.8 magnitude quake. - The main 4.2 quake occurred just after 7 a.m. and was centered near San Ramon, with shaking felt as far away as Santa Rosa, Modesto, and Santa Cruz. - This series of quakes is located near the Calaveras Fault, in a seismically active region that has experienced at least six other earthquake swarms since 1970. - According to the U.S. Geological Survey, more than 4,000 people reported feeling the 4.2 magnitude tremor. - While unsettling, seismologists have indicated that these types of earthquake swarms are not necessarily a precursor to a larger seismic event. - The Mayor of San Ramon, Mark Armstrong, reported that there were no major damages within the city. - The nearby Hayward Fault is considered one of the most dangerous in the country, with studies indicating a regular interval of approximately 140 years between major earthquakes; the last major event was in 1868. - Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) ran trains at reduced speeds Monday morning as a precaution while crews conducted safety inspections of the tracks.
