Bay Area rattles through largest quake in 18 years

Bay Area rattles through largest quake in 18 years The largest earthquake to hit the Bay Area in nearly two decades rolled through the area Tuesday night leaving little damage and promises from Sacramento officials to inspect all key transportation and safety infrastructure.
   The 5.6 temblor, centered about nine miles northeast of San Jose, hit about 8 p.m. and was widely reported within an 80-mile radius. Reports of the shaking were also reported from as far away as the California-Oregon border.
   Tuesday's quake was the largest to hit the Bay Area since the October 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake — measuring between 6.9 and 7.1 on the Richter Scale — caused 62 deaths and nearly $6 billion in damage.
   A statement from Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's office said that in the coming days the state 'will review and inspect all important infrastructure.' The governor's statement singled out the system of levees protecting the inland delta area for particular attention.
   Bay Area transportation officials said the public transit Caltrain and Bay Area Rapid Transit trains stopped for several minutes following the temblor before resuming at reduced speeds. Officials reported no injuries on or damage to trains.
   While area businesses reported items thrown from shelves and residents reported numerous cases of broken water pipes or gas leaks, no serious damage was reported. Some utility providers reported heavy phone traffic immediately after the quake and a reportedly heavy volume of traffic temporarily disrupted some cell phone services.
   The epicenter of the quake, according to the U.S. Geological Service, was in the Diablo Range foothills east of San Jose.