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Tuesday, October 30, 2007

Earthquake Update

OAKLAND, Calif., Oct 30 (Reuters) - A magnitude 5.6 earthquake struck in a rural area about 9 miles (15 km) northeast of San Jose, California, Silicon Valley's biggest city, on Tuesday night, the U.S. Geological Survey said.The temblor on the Calaveras Fault lasted about 30 seconds. The U.S. Geological Survey preliminary magnitude estimate was 5.6, making it the most powerful quake to hit the Bay Area since Loma Prieta, Oct. 17, 1989. That was a magnitude 6.9.
The epicenter was five miles miles from Alum Rock, seven miles from Milpitas and nine miles from San Jose City Hall with the earthquake originating 5.7 miles below ground.
Shaking was felt throughout the Bay Area. Eleven aftershocks with magnitudes of 1.3 to 2.1 were reported by 8:45 p.m.
There were no immediate reports of major


damage, though cellular and landline telephone service failed for a time in some areas.The latest updates:
10:01 p.m.: Quake brings back bad memories in Santa Cruz9:41 p.m.: Scientists not surprised by quake's magnitude9:33 p.m.: VTA workers inspecting for damage9:16 p.m.: South Bay hospitals report phone trouble, but no major damage 8:31 p.m. Residents in downtown San Jose pour into the streets to check damage8:22 p.m.: Cupertino resident reports 'entire house shook'Vishram Dalvi said that his "entire house shook, pictures swayed, a few things fell off. We ran downstairs with the children but everything stopped. I am worried with what they say about the big one being long overdue now- was it every 140 years?"
In Palo Alto, one resident described the earthquake as feeling as if a "big rolling freight train just went through my backyard."
Within minutes, fire stations in Palo Alto reported in to the dispatch center that there was no damage to their stations.

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