A preliminary 4.7 magnitude earthquake occurred in the Malibu area, shaking Southern California on Thursday morning, as reported by the U.S. Geological Survey.
The quake hit at approximately 7:28 a.m. and was centered at a depth of nearly six miles. Initially recorded as a 5.1 magnitude, it was quickly revised down. Following the main quake, several aftershocks were felt, including a notable 3.4 magnitude tremor around 8:40 a.m.
The tremors were felt up to 60 miles away, with residents in areas such as Riverside and Newport Beach reporting the shaking. Fortunately, there have been no reports of injuries or damage. Emergency crews have been deployed to evaluate roadways and buildings in Malibu, according to Councilman Bruce Silverstein.
Seismologist Dr. Lucy Jones confirmed that there has indeed been an uptick in earthquake activity in the region recently, although assessing its statistical significance remains challenging. She noted that while the region typically experiences about eight earthquakes of 4.0 magnitude or greater annually, Southern California has recorded 14 this year, surpassing the previous high of 13.
Dr. Jones emphasized that while there have been more seismic events, these numbers remain relatively small and not yet statistically significant. She remarked on the human tendency to seek patterns in random occurrences, which often leads to beliefs about “earthquake weather” and animal behavior relating to seismic activity.
ABC7 has gathered essential items for an earthquake preparedness kit, urging residents to be ready for the possibility of significant seismic events in the future.
This story is developing, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available.