Authoritative, independent crime + safety news
Become a member
Disaster preparedness

Magnitude 2.6 earthquake hits Berkeley early Thursday

It was the biggest East Bay quake recorded since April, according to the USGS. Learn how you can prepare for disasters.

Magnitude 2.6 earthquake hits Berkeley early Thursday
The latest Berkeley earthquake occurred in the Claremont neighborhood not far from the Oakland border. Google Maps

A small earthquake was recorded in Berkeley early Thursday morning, according to USGS reports.

The quake occurred at 12:38 a.m. with an epicenter near Tunnel and Roble roads in the Claremont neighborhood.

The earthquake was a preliminary magnitude 2.6 with a depth of about 5.5 miles, according to the U.S. Geological Service.

It's the biggest East Bay quake since April when a magnitude 3.7 earthquake was recorded between Clayton and Brentwood, south of Black Diamond Mines Regional Park.

On April 1, two magnitude 3.0 earthquakes were recorded in San Leandro.

One Scanner reader writing on Twitter early Thursday morning said she hadn't felt the earthquake in Berkeley, "but our house seismometer recorded it."

Read more about earthquakes in Berkeley.

Ways to prepare for Berkeley earthquakes

The city of Berkeley has a number of tips and resources to help get ready for natural disasters. Take this opportunity to brush up.

Creating a Disaster Plan
Make an emergency plan with your household, neighbors, family, and friends. A little foresight can go a long way—make a plan now, so you know how to find and get in touch with your people when something happens. The same connections that are important in your everyday life—with your family, roommate…
City of Berkeley
Sign up for AC Alert for official emergency information
Sign up for text, email, and phone alerts that guide you to protective actions related to locations you care about, like your home, work, or kids’ schools. Sign up for AC Alert—Berkeley’s main emergency alerting system—to quickly know what protective actions you, your family, or your co-workers shou…
City of Berkeley
Register your neighborhood event for National Night Out
Consider teaming up with your neighbors to plan your own neighborhood gathering. Review the map for already-registered August 1 events near you. Help strengthen our community by organizing or joining your neighborhood’s National Night Out block party Tuesday, August 1. By organizing your own gatheri…
City of Berkeley
💡
The Berkeley Scanner is 100% member-supported. That means no ads, no spam and no distractions. Help ensure timely, accurate public safety news for Berkeley by signing up now.

Read next

Landslide on Grizzly Peak, flash flood warning in Berkeley

Landslide on Grizzly Peak, flash flood warning in Berkeley

Friday saw "severe flooding" at Centennial Drive and Stadium Rim Way in the Berkeley Hills along with flooding at Ashby Avenue and Seventh Street.
By Emilie Raguso
Water main break leads to major outage in West Berkeley

Water main break leads to major outage in West Berkeley

The outage includes water service to all city fire hydrants, the Berkeley Fire Department said.
By Emilie Raguso
Here's how to get ready for extreme heat in Berkeley

Here's how to get ready for extreme heat in Berkeley

In the days ahead, check on people living alone and watch for signs of heat illness.
By City of Berkeley