A significant earthquake, measuring 4.4 on the Richter scale, struck near Los Angeles, California, on Monday afternoon, causing homes to shake and alarming residents in the region.
The tremor’s epicenter was located near Highland Park, a neighborhood in Los Angeles County close to notable landmarks such as the Hollywood sign and Griffith Observatory, occurring around 12:20 PM PDT (20:20 BST), as reported by the US Geological Survey.
Residents in adjacent cities, including Pasadena and Glendale, as well as areas along the coast like Manhattan Beach and El Segundo, felt the quake’s impact. Fortunately, the USGS indicated that there was no tsunami warning following the earthquake.
State officials monitored the situation closely for any damage or injuries, but initial reports indicated no significant issues. The Los Angeles Fire Department dispatched crews from all 106 fire stations in the city to conduct thorough inspections throughout the Greater Los Angeles area for structural concerns.
Despite searching for damages, the agency reported no significant findings, and no injuries were documented. However, local media noted a water main break in South Pasadena, which officials suggested may have resulted from the earthquake.
The quake took place during live broadcasts on television and radio. ESPN’s Malika Andrews was on air interviewing analyst Rebecca Lobo when the tremor occurred. “We have a bit of an earthquake here in Los Angeles,” she exclaimed, as the camera rocked back and forth. Andrews reassured viewers that they would ensure the studio’s equipment and lights were secure for safety.
Another live stream on ESPN’s podcast, the Travis and Sliwa Show, featured a team member ducking under a table as the quake struck, with host Travis Rodgers commenting, “Woah, woah. That is a real one,” while the ground shook.
Initially, the earthquake was assessed at a magnitude of 4.7 but was later revised to 4.4 by the US Geological Survey. The region has experienced several quakes measuring between 4 and 5 in magnitude over the past few weeks, including incidents in Grapevine and Bakersfield, California, the week prior.