- Earthquake shakes up Los Angeles
In Southern California, a mild earthquake startled residents. According to the USGS earthquake center, the quake occurred Monday afternoon (local time) with a magnitude of 4.4. The epicenter was located in the densely populated Los Angeles metropolitan area. Many residents spoke of moments of shock and frayed nerves following the noticeable tremors in TV interviews and on social media.
Reports of injuries or major damage were not received, as the fire department in Los Angeles reported after an earthquake inspection in the city of millions. However, this was a wake-up call for residents to be prepared for larger earthquakes, the agency warned.
The US West Coast state is very prone to earthquakes: The San Andreas Fault runs through California for nearly 1,300 kilometers. At this deep-seated disturbance in the Earth's crust, the Pacific plate moves northwest and rubs against the North American continent. This builds up immense tensions in the Earth's crust that can be released in earthquakes. Seismologists have long warned of "The Big One," a feared major earthquake.
Despite the mild earthquake in Southern California causing moments of shock, there were no reported injuries or significant damage in Los Angeles. Given California's vulnerability to earthquakes, with the San Andreas Fault running through it, residents are continually encouraged to be prepared for larger seismic events.
