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Magnitude 3.5 Earthquake Strikes in Bay Area: USGS

A magnitude 3.5 earthquake struck Monday evening in the East Bay, centered near Oakland, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

The quake hit at 7:18 p.m., the USGS said. There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries.

The quake was centered on the northern part of the Hayward Fault, with the epicenter just east of Oakland. People felt it across the Bay Area.

"People close (to the epicenter) felt an intense shaking about 15-20 miles out, but there are reports of 60 to 80 miles out," USGS spokesperson Ole Kavin said.

The USGS said it received reports from about 18,000 people that the ground moved. 

Emi Camura was making dinner when a terrible sound let her know there was an earthquake. She said the shaking lasted only about five seconds.

"It sounded like a freight train was coming by," she said. "It wasn’t too bad. I think the sound was kind of jarring more than the shaking itself."

Out of caution, BART held trains in the moments following the temblor in order to inspect its tracks.

No further details were available.

View recent activity in NBC Bay Area's earthquake map.

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