Earthquake apocalypse? Not quite
By Matthias Gafni and Malaika Fraley Contra Costa Times
Posted: 05/21/2011 10:57:54 PM PDT
EAST BAY -- A magnitude 3.6 earthquake struck Contra Costa County at 7:04 p.m. Saturday, according to the U.S. Geological Survey, an hour after a doomsday prophet predicted a catastrophic temblor would rock the Bay Area.
The earthquake was centered two miles south-southeast of Hercules, and eight miles north of Berkeley, the USGS reports. There have been no reports of any damage or injuries, a Contra Costa Fire District dispatcher said shortly after the quake.
The quake could be felt 13 miles away in Oakland, the site of Family Radio's headquarters. The evangelical radio station's leader, Harold Camping, predicted the end of the world Saturday starting with a series of earthquakes from New Zealand to the Bay Area. He predicted a gigantic quake would hit the Bay Area at 6 p.m.
Tectonically, Saturday was fairly average around the world, although New Zealand did receive a magnitude 6.1 quake Sunday morning.
The New Zealand quake hit around 9 a.m. off the coast near the Kermadec Islands, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The country averages 14,000 quakes a year, most not felt on the mainland.
As of 8 p.m. Saturday, there were nine earthquakes of magnitude 5.0 or greater in the world, according to the USGS, which is comparable to most days.
By Matthias Gafni and Malaika Fraley Contra Costa Times
Posted: 05/21/2011 10:57:54 PM PDT
EAST BAY -- A magnitude 3.6 earthquake struck Contra Costa County at 7:04 p.m. Saturday, according to the U.S. Geological Survey, an hour after a doomsday prophet predicted a catastrophic temblor would rock the Bay Area.
The earthquake was centered two miles south-southeast of Hercules, and eight miles north of Berkeley, the USGS reports. There have been no reports of any damage or injuries, a Contra Costa Fire District dispatcher said shortly after the quake.
The quake could be felt 13 miles away in Oakland, the site of Family Radio's headquarters. The evangelical radio station's leader, Harold Camping, predicted the end of the world Saturday starting with a series of earthquakes from New Zealand to the Bay Area. He predicted a gigantic quake would hit the Bay Area at 6 p.m.
Tectonically, Saturday was fairly average around the world, although New Zealand did receive a magnitude 6.1 quake Sunday morning.
The New Zealand quake hit around 9 a.m. off the coast near the Kermadec Islands, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The country averages 14,000 quakes a year, most not felt on the mainland.
As of 8 p.m. Saturday, there were nine earthquakes of magnitude 5.0 or greater in the world, according to the USGS, which is comparable to most days.
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