Magnitude 2.6 Earthquake Near Berkeley Felt Across the East Bay

A preliminary magnitude 2.6 earthquake struck in the Berkeley hills on Sunday, Nov. 1, the U.S. Geological Survey said.

Where and when

USGS records place the quake about 3 kilometers east-southeast of Berkeley, at 6:23 p.m. Pacific time, at a depth of about 9.9 kilometers, or a little over six miles. CBS News Bay Area reported that the quake was along the Hayward Fault. CBS initially gave the time as 2:23 p.m., but the USGS event record lists 6:23 p.m. local time.

A smaller quake, a preliminary magnitude 1.6, followed in the same spot at 6:31 p.m., USGS data show. All figures are preliminary and can be revised.

Who felt it

USGS “Did You Feel It?” reports came from Berkeley, Oakland, San Francisco, Albany, El Sobrante and El Cerrito, CBS reported. About 80 people had filed reports by Sunday evening. People generally described weak shaking. No injuries or major damage were reported.

Why small quakes matter

Quakes this size are common in the Bay Area and usually cause no damage. They are a reminder that the Hayward Fault runs directly under dense East Bay neighborhoods. You can report shaking on the USGS event page. The state's free MyShake app sends alerts for larger quakes.

Recent quakes: magnitude 2.7 quakes near Pacifica and Hollister last week.