4.7 Magnitude Earthquake Shakes Los Angeles Area Amid Wildfires
A 4.7 magnitude earthquake struck Southern California early Thursday morning, rattling the Los Angeles area and causing some local disturbances. The tremor, which struck at 7:28 a.m., was centered approximately 4 miles north of Malibu, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The quake, initially reported as a 5.1 magnitude event, was quickly downgraded to 4.7. The earthquake was located about 7 miles below the surface and was felt widely across the region, including as far away as Riverside and Newport Beach.
The earthquake has been identified as the 14th sequence of magnitude 4.0 or higher in Southern California this year, surpassing the historical average of eight such quakes annually. This increased seismic activity is the most significant since 1988, though experts caution against drawing conclusions about the likelihood of a larger “big one.”
The quake caused boulders to tumble onto Malibu Canyon Road, leading to road closures and cleanup efforts. However, there have been no immediate reports of structural damage or injuries. The Los Angeles Fire Department has dispatched personnel to conduct a thorough survey of critical infrastructure and areas of concern throughout the city.
Seismologist Lucy Jones, affiliated with the California Institute of Technology, noted that while this earthquake was felt across a broad area, it is not directly associated with any major fault lines such as the Malibu or Anacapa faults. She emphasized that the increase in smaller earthquakes does not necessarily correlate with the occurrence of a larger one but serves as a reminder for residents to remain prepared.
The earthquake struck amid ongoing wildfires burning east of Los Angeles, which have already forced thousands to evacuate and burned numerous homes. The wildfires, combined with the recent heat wave, have kept the region on edge. Despite the earthquake, no additional reports of damage or injuries have been received in connection with the fires.
In addition to the initial quake, over two dozen aftershocks were recorded, including a 3.4 magnitude tremor shortly after the main event. The USGS ShakeAlert system provided early warnings to many residents, allowing them to brace for the shaking. The tremor was felt across a broad swath of Southern California, from Malibu and Santa Monica to Burbank and Anaheim, illustrating the widespread impact of this significant event.
As Southern California continues to experience increased seismic activity, experts stress the importance of earthquake preparedness. Dr. Allen Husker, a seismologist at Caltech, noted that while small earthquakes do not necessarily predict a larger one, they do increase the chance of future seismic events. “There is no way to alleviate the big one,” Husker said, underscoring the need for ongoing vigilance and preparedness in earthquake-prone areas.