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6.5 magnitude earthquake hits southern California
LOS ANGELES (AFP) Dec 22, 2003
 An earthquake measuring 6.5 on the Richter scale shook central and southern California on Monday, the US Geographical Survey (USGS) said, but there no immediate reports of damage.

The USGS said the temblor struck at 11:15am (1915 GMT) about 11 kilometers (seven miles) northeast of the central coast town of San Simeon. It was felt as far south as Los Angeles and measured 6.5 on the scale.

The quake had intially been measured as 6.4, but was quickly upgraded to a 6.5 earth tremour.

The earthquake struck near the famed Hearst castle at San Simeon, about 250 kilometers (150 miles) north of Los Angeles, the ornate and historic home of US press baron William Randolph Hearst.

News reports said the castle had been evacuated, no immediate reports of damage were received from the region.

"It was big," MaryAnne Carson in Cambria, near San Simeon, told CNN. "Doors opened and things fell off the shelves, but I haven't see any damage as of yet."

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