From Associated Press PARKFIELD — A strong earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 5.9 has struck Central California and it was felt from Santa Ana to Sacramento, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
The earthquake, which struck at 10:15 a.m. PDT, was centered 9 miles south of Parkfield and 17 miles north east of Paso Robles, scene of an earthquake that killed two people in December 2003.
An aftershock of 5.0 magnitude struck four minutes later.
Paso Robles police said there were no immediate reports of damage or injuries. Thousands of people from throughout the state reported feeling the quake.
"It rattled everything hanging on the walls and the chandelier was swinging. It didn't do any damage to our house. There were two shakers, one right after the other," said Ben Brown, who lives in Paso Robles.
Parkfield, located on the San Andreas fault, is known as the earthquake capital of California.
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valves
posted
they felt 2 shakers today, as they put it.
kbpkt
posted
There is nothing on TV here in San Diego...yet. If there was one, it was probably not in Southern Cali, but Northern Cali is another thing. I'll keep the news on and let you know what I hear.
user095263
posted
thx, i'll stop panicking now... ~BB
mattonic
posted
i'm a 130 miles north on that fault, luckly nothing happened here.
Ruh916
posted
My brother lives in San Luis Obispo, real close to the epicenter I think? I'm talking to him on yahoo, he said it barely woke him up.
Hopefully Cali isn't going to try to compete with Florida for the most disasters in a month.
Doctoall
posted
Did not feel anything here in No Cali (Sacramento) area. Not sure whats happening in the So.
------------------ "If We Agree To Disagree, Then We Can Remain friends"
Always live and you can see where each earthquake hit. Bookmark it. You'll see the Red circle and headlines also. 272 Earthquakes around the world past 30 days!
[This message has been edited by 1BigTip (edited September 28, 2004).]
Dardadog
posted
I am sitting just across the lake from S. California. Thought it was just my computer bouncin' with da BANK.......hope everyone's all right.
valves
posted
great link 1BigTip!
[This message has been edited by valves (edited September 28, 2004).]
posted
now that IS scary!!! too much reality for me. but great link 1BT! ~BB
quote:Originally posted by 1BigTip: Always live and you can see where each earthquake hit. Bookmark it. You'll see the Red circle and headlines also. 272 Earthquakes around the world past 30 days!
user095263
posted
<places hands over eyes now>
quote:Originally posted by kbpkt: Related, but off topic... Looks like Mt. St. Helens is acting up again.
PARKFIELD, California (AP) -- A moderate earthquake struck central California on Tuesday that was felt from San Francisco to the Los Angeles area. There was no immediate report of injuries.
The quake, which struck at 10:15 a.m. PDT, had a preliminary magnitude of 5.9 and was centered 9 miles south of Parkfield, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The area is 17 miles northeast of Paso Robles, scene of an earthquake that killed two people in December.
A series of aftershocks quickly rattled the area, one with a preliminary 5.0 magnitude four minutes after the main earthquake and three others 4.1 or above.
Paso Robles police said there were no immediate reports of damage or injuries.
"It rattled everything hanging on the walls and the chandelier was swinging. It didn't do any damage to our house. There were two shakers, one right after the other," said Ben Brown, who lives in Paso Robles.
The quake was felt along a 350-mile stretch, as far north as San Francisco and as far south as Santa Ana, southeast of Los Angeles, the geological survey said.
Parkfield, population 37, is known as the earthquake capital of California. Located on the San Andreas fault, it has experienced six similar, magnitude 6.0 earthquakes with apparent regularity -- one approximately every 22 years.
The USGS even named its major long-term earthquake research project the Parkfield Experiment.
"This is earthquake country. It's a larger earthquake than what usually occurs, but it's not unprecedented," said USGS spokeswoman Stephanie Hanna. "We expect big earthquakes in this area, but don't know when they'll occur."
An earthquake on December 22, 2003, collapsed old downtown buildings in Paso Robles, pitching an 1892 clock tower building onto the street and crushing a row of parked cars. Two people were killed in the state's first fatal quake since the 6.7-magnitude temblor that hit the Northridge area of Los Angeles in 1994.
A magnitude 5 quake can cause considerable damage and a magnitude 6 quake severe damage, though problems are generally far less severe in remote areas and areas with strong building codes.