A 4.7-magnitude earthquake hit Malibu this morning, causing varying reactions among residents. Some people slept through the tremors, while others were jolted awake by the shaking ground.
“I thought the earthquake was part of my dream,” shared Anna Shvidler, a sophomore from the UK. “But I woke up to my roommate screaming, ‘Guys, there’s an earthquake!’”
Initially startled, Shvidler quickly reassured herself, noting her previous experiences with smaller quakes last year. “I’m not used to earthquakes, but this time it felt kind of fun.”
Freshman Phil Rasmussen escaped the startling experience as he was already on his way to class when the shaking began. He also described a mix of fear and excitement. “It’s kind of thrilling, but I was definitely scared,” he admitted, reflecting on the earthquake insurance discussed during his enrollment at USC.
While not unusual for Southern California, this year has seen a significant rise in earthquakes. USC Seismology professor John Vidale reassured residents, explaining that the increased frequency is likely coincidental. “There have been many earthquakes this year, but there’s no indication they are connected,” he stated.
However, the pervasive nature of the quakes across the city underscores the inherent risks of living in an earthquake-prone area. Vidale advised California residents to download earthquake early warning apps, gather emergency supplies, and verify that their buildings comply with safety codes.
Fortunately, today’s earthquake resulted in no reported damage or injuries, though several aftershocks, with magnitudes reaching up to 3.4, have been recorded.