An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 4.6 jolted the Los Angeles area on Thursday morning, and its impact was felt by millions of people across the region.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the quake struck at 7:28 a.m. with an epicenter 4.3 miles north of Malibu. It was nearly 7 miles deep.
The quake was initially reported as a magnitude 5.1 before being downgraded to 4.6 then changed to 4.7. Several KTLA viewers reported that they felt the quake in the Inland Empire, Orange County and along the coast.
Aftershocks with magnitudes as large as 2.8 and 3.4 have been felt in the area, according to the USGC.
“It is striking that some of the stronger shaking, not surprisingly, but it’s right down the west side of Los Angeles,” said seismologist Dr. Lucy Jones. “It seems to have been pretty widely felt.”
The Los Angeles Fire Department activated Earthquake Mode shortly after the quake, which was completed by 8:30 a.m. No damage to infrastructure and no injuries were reported within the city of Los Angeles.
According to the California Highway Patrol, some debris rolled onto the roadway of Malibu Canyon Road in one of the tunnels near Piuma Road, near the quake’s epicenter on Thursday morning. Public Works headed to the scene by 8:35 a.m. to clear the rocks, KTLA’s Kirk Hawkins reported.
As of 7:35 a.m., there were no reports of injuries or damages. No additional details were immediately made available.
This is a developing story. Stay with KTLA 5 News for updates.
Latest California Earthquakes. Please wait a moment for map to load.
Use controls or your thumb to move and zoom.
Thousands of earthquakes are recorded in California yearly, but the vast majority are extremely minor. Several hundred reach a magnitude of 3.0, and only about 15 to 20 are greater than magnitude 4.0, according to the USGS.
In North America, only Alaska records more quakes per year than California.
What to do in an earthquake
During an earthquake, it’s crucial to know the proper steps to protect yourself and minimize injury. The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) provides detailed guidelines on what to do during such events. Here are the key points:
Drop, Cover, and Hold On:
Drop: Immediately drop down onto your hands and knees. This position prevents you from being knocked over and allows you to stay low and crawl to safety if necessary.
Cover: Use one arm to protect your head and neck, and if possible, take shelter under a sturdy table or desk. If no shelter is available, get down next to an interior wall away from windows. Stay on your knees and bend over to protect vital organs.
Hold On: Hold on to your shelter until the shaking stops. Be prepared to move with your shelter if it shifts.