A 4.4 magnitude earthquake shook the Los Angeles area on Monday afternoon, jolting residents and rattling homes across the region.
According to BBC, the tremor struck at around 12:20 PM PST, 20:20 BST, with its epicenter located near Highland Park, a neighborhood in Los Angeles County, not far from the iconic Hollywood sign and Griffith Observatory, according to the US Geological Survey.
The quake was felt strongly throughout Los Angeles, with reports of shaking extending to nearby cities such as Pasadena and Glendale, and as far as the coastal areas of Manhattan Beach and El Segundo.
In many locations, residents described glasses and dishes clattering as the ground trembled.
Even as far south as San Diego and as far east as the Palm Springs desert region, people reported feeling the effects of the quake. Remarkably, reports of the tremor also came from the southern San Joaquin Valley, about 100 miles northwest of Los Angeles.
Los Angeles County Supervisor, Kathryn Barger, commented on the quake, drawing comparisons to the devastating 6.7 magnitude Northridge earthquake in 1994.
“Having lived through the Northridge earthquake, today’s tremor made me flash back to what we know are lifesaving rules during an earthquake: drop, cover, and hold on. It was also a reminder to us all that we live in earthquake country and we need to be prepared,” she stated.
Despite the intensity of the quake, there was no tsunami warning issued, as confirmed by the USGS.
Officials across California are closely monitoring for any signs of damage or injuries, but as of now, no significant impacts have been reported.
The Los Angeles Fire Department has deployed crews from all 106 fire stations to conduct thorough surveys of the Greater Los Angeles area, checking for structural damage or other safety concerns.
Initially, the earthquake was estimated at a magnitude of 4.7 but was later revised to 4.4 by the US Geological Survey.
This tremor is part of a recent series of seismic activities in the region. Just last week, a 5.2 magnitude earthquake struck southern California, also widely felt in Los Angeles, though it caused no major damage or injuries.
The region has been experiencing several magnitude 4 and 5 earthquakes in recent weeks, including notable ones in Grapevine and Bakersfield, California, underscoring the importance of earthquake preparedness in this seismically active area.
