Please scroll down for updates, last one from 8:31 AM
7:47 AM: We’re still waiting on an official magnitude from the USGS, but preliminary reports say that an earthquake struck just off the coast of San Francisco.
We certainly felt it in the Outer Sunset, it felt like two quick bangs (for me, like someone slammed a REALLY heavy door in my building). Did you feel it?
7:54 AM: The USGS’s preliminary report says that this morning’s quake was a 3.5, and the epicenter was about 3 miles off the coast.
The USGS is saying that it’s “pretty shallow” and it’s probably based on the San Andreas fault.
No word yet on if BART will shut down (as they often do post-quake) to inspect its equipment. We’ll keep you posted.
Did you feel it? Of course we’d love to hear from you either way, but, more importantly, let the USGS know on their Did You Feel It map.
8:02 AM: After a 5 minute hold to inspect tracks, BART resumed service, saying that they discovered no problems post-quake. So, sorry, “earthquake” is not a good excuse to be late to work today.
8:31 AM (BCN): Some Bay Area residents started the day with a jolt when a small earthquake struck off the San Francisco coast this morning.
The earthquake, which occurred at 7:47 a.m., had a preliminary magnitude of 3.5 and was centered about 3 miles west-northwest of the San Francisco Zoo, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
Danielle Brown, a server at Louis’ Restaurant on Point Lobos Avenue near the Cliff House, was walking up the stairs from the restaurant’s basement when she heard a strange sound.
“The whole building kind of shook a little, it made a rumbling sound,” she said.
“My boss said, ‘Did you feel that?’ I said, ‘I actually heard it,'” Brown said.
Golden Gate Bridge patrol Sgt. H. Lopez was near the bridge’s toll plaza when the quake hit.
“It was very quick, it was like a big truck going by,” he said.
“When I came back to the office our seismic alert had gone off.”
Christian Andino, a barista at Java Beach Cafe on Sloat Boulevard near the zoo, said the temblor startled customers.
“There was a little shaking going on, things were moving on the shelves slightly,” he said.
BART stopped trains for five to 10 minutes after the quake, causing slight delays.
