A magnitude-4.6 earthquake struck southern California, causing widespread shaking across the greater Los Angeles area. The quake originated about 7 miles northwest of Malibu in the Santa Monica Mountains and was reported just before 2 p.m. on Friday. Following the initial quake, more than a dozen aftershocks, ranging in magnitudes of 3.0 and 2.7, were reported within an hour in the same area.
Seismologist Dr. Lucy Jones described the aftershock sequence as “very robust” and dismissed the possibility of the quake being a foreshock to a larger event. The shaking was felt by as many as 12 million people throughout the greater Los Angeles area, including LA, Orange, and Ventura counties. Coastal areas such as South Bay and Long Beach, as well as inland regions like the San Fernando Valley, downtown LA, Riverside, Irvine, and Anaheim, all experienced the tremors. Even parts of north San Diego County reported weak to light shaking.
Witnesses described the earthquake as a “major jolt” and recounted their experiences during the event. Marla Dailey, who was working in a Thousand Oaks dental office at the time, shared her account of the shaking. She mentioned that although it was nerve-racking, everyone remained calm, and dental procedures continued without interruption.
Fortunately, there were no immediate reports of significant damage. The Los Angeles Fire Department conducted a damage survey, which is standard procedure following a quake of this magnitude. The U.S. National Tsunami Warning Center also confirmed that no tsunami was triggered by the earthquake.
Dr. Lucy Jones explained that while there are several earthquake faults in the area, the quake was likely on the Malibu Coast Fault. This fault runs along the coastline in the Santa Monica Mountains and is located near Pacific Palisades, Westwood, Beverly Hills, and Santa Monica. Its eastern end meets the Santa Monica Fault.
Interestingly, this earthquake occurred on the same date as the deadly magnitude-6.5 earthquake that struck San Fernando in 1971. The historic quake resulted in numerous casualties, caused extensive property damage exceeding $500 million, and raised concerns about a potential dam collapse. Although the origin of that quake was in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains north of Los Angeles, it was felt across a wide area of the San Fernando Valley.
In a separate seismic event on the same day, a magnitude-5.7 earthquake struck Hawaii’s Big Island. The shaking from this quake reached as far as 200 miles away on Oahu, including Honolulu. However, it is important to note that this earthquake was unrelated to the seismic activity in Southern California.
As earthquakes continue to pose a threat to areas prone to seismic activity, it is essential for residents to be prepared for emergencies. Creating a disaster emergency kit with essential supplies can make a significant difference in ensuring safety during such events.
