Magnitude 3.8 Earthquake Strikes Near Concord
CONCORD (CBS SF) -- A magnitude 3.8 earthquake struck Contra Costa County Thursday morning, which was felt in much of the East Bay and other parts of the Bay Area.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the earthquake struck about 2 miles west of Concord at 11:18 a.m., at a depth of about 4 miles. There were no reports reports of damage or injuries.
The quake was felt strongest in the Concord / Pleasant Hill area.
"It was more of like a shove," says Brittany White of Concord. "I was laying in bed, so I felt one push and then a louder push. That was about it."
According to responses on social media, the quake was reportedly felt as far west as San Francisco and Pacifica, as far south as Hayward and as far north as Fairfield.
Did you feel it?? I did! Just felt an earthquake centered in Concord. #usgs reports a 3.8 magnitude. A small rumbling and then a jolt. @KPIXtv #kpix #earthquakecountry
— Michelle Griego (@michelleCBS4) January 14, 2021
I felt it in Fairfield, but no one else in my house did.
— Fairycakes (@Xalo_Erkald) January 14, 2021
One good jolt in Pleasant Hill
— Margaret Szutu (@mas92547) January 14, 2021
Yes. Felt like a car hit the house. Concord CA
— Robbin Milne -End Censorship ????⏳???????? (@RobbinMilne) January 14, 2021
USGS says this was just at the lower end of what people typically feel.
"Yeah, a lot of people," explained Annemarie Baltay of the USGS. "From San Francisco, down to San Jose, up to Santa Rosa, Lodi, even a little bit further east. So we are not surprised at all by this earthquake. It's pretty typical of what we expect."
While Thursday's earthquake was small, there are ever growing concerns over the odds of a major earthquake, ending a period of relative seismic quiet.
"Usually it is talking about a large event," Baltay says. "So we had 1906, a huge earthquake came through. The stress is all released, it's like flushing the water pipes or something. And so, that was a very large event and the seismic shadow from that can last, we don't really know exactly, but a hundred years or so. And so, we think along the San Andreas we're still seeing a little bit of that affect."
Following the quake, BART trains were held briefly and tracks were inspected, which is standard operating procedure following earthquakes.
Per protocol, all BART trains were slowed down to a pause and then held following this earthquake. The trains were held for about 1 minute, and was released to continue moving. https://t.co/NsSXBqG7NN
— BART (@SFBART) January 14, 2021
A message from our Operations Control Center: after the 3.8 magnitude earthquake located near Concord, BART trains are running at reduced speeds as frontline completes track inspections. Please expect minor residual delays. https://t.co/S0ekepsUcl
— BART (@SFBART) January 14, 2021
This article will be updated as information warrants, and follow KPIX 5 on Twitter at @KPIXtv for updates on breaking news anytime.