3.6 magnitude earthquake hits near Oakland

A magnitude 3.6 earthquake rumbled through San Francisco's East Bay region, 13 miles north of Oakland.

The epicenter, 2 miles southeast of Hercules and 4 miles east of Pinole, was in a heavily populated area. Instantly, local residents began making jokes about the timing of the quake, 7:04 p.m., as coinciding with the doomsday prediction of Harold Camping, the Oakland-based ex-engineer who has said that the apocalypse would begin on May 21 at 6 p.m.

"So the rapture is only available in certain locations. Iceland (Volcano) and Pinole (Earthquake)," tweeted @DJKing_James, also referring to the eruption of one of Iceland's most active volcanoes, which wasn't expected to cause any deaths. 

The quake near Oakland was centered six miles beneath the earth's surface. The Contra Costa County Fire Department reported no immediate reports of damage or injuries.  

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-- Rong-Gong Lin II