LOS ANGELES — Southern California residents experienced a striking reminder of the power of nature on Thursday when a 4.7 magnitude earthquake shook the Los Angeles area, following a series of major wildfires engulfing the region. The quake sent boulders tumbling onto Malibu roads and rattled structures, including Santa Monica’s historic wooden pier, but there were no immediate reports of injuries or significant damage.
The earthquake struck while the region was already grappling with three serious wildfires east of Los Angeles that had destroyed numerous homes and necessitated the evacuation of thousands of residents, all during a recent intense heatwave.
“It’s a typical Southern California earthquake,” explained Lucy Jones, a seismologist from the California Institute of Technology. The U.S. Geological Survey indicated that the quake’s epicenter was located four miles north of Malibu and occurred at a depth of seven miles. Some residents as far as 45 miles away in Orange County reported feeling the tremors, which were followed by a series of minor aftershocks.
Regional officials reported that assessments for damage were being conducted, but no significant issues were found. Bruce Silverstein, a councilmember in Malibu, described the quake as the strongest he had experienced in his 13 years in the community, although he noted that nothing broke in his home.
The Santa Monica Pier, which is over a century old, experienced noticeable shaking during the quake, with several live news broadcasts capturing the scene as cameras trembled in studios. In Malibu, crews were clearing large boulders that had fallen onto Malibu Canyon Road near the earthquake’s epicenter.
While the quake was centered near the Malibu fault, it was also close to the Anacapa fault. Jones added that earthquakes below magnitude 5.0 generally cannot be definitively linked to larger mapped faults.
Rene Vasquez, manager of The Country Kitchen in Malibu, described how the shaking prompted kitchen staff to duck outside for safety, although he noted, “Thank God nothing fell.” On the Malibu coast, surfer Albert Daniel called the situation “pretty calm,” looking out for bigger waves after the quake.
Trudy Novicki, visiting from San Clemente, was on the balcony of her hotel room preparing for meditation when she felt the quake. She initially thought a truck had hit the building, while her daughter visiting from Florida mistook it for a train.
Many individuals, including celebrities, took to social media to express their surprise and concern after being jolted awake. Hotel heiress Paris Hilton commented, “That #Earthquake was scary,” while reality TV star Khloe Kardashian remarked, “Damn that was a big one.”
The state’s earthquake early warning system informed several residents of the seismic activity. In recent months, the region has experienced multiple quakes, including a 4.4 magnitude quake in August that affected areas from Los Angeles to San Diego and caused damage to Pasadena City Hall. Another quake of 4.6 magnitude was felt in Malibu in February.
This earthquake marks the 14th seismic event of magnitude 4.0 or higher in Southern California this year, a figure exceeding the historic average of eight to ten per year. Caltech seismologist Jones noted that it remains uncertain if this increased activity signifies a notable trend. The largest number recorded previously in a single year was 13 in 1988.
Despite the recent seismic activity, there is no indication that a larger, more catastrophic quake is imminent. However, residents should remain vigilant for potential aftershocks, with a one in twenty probability that another quake of 4.7 magnitude or greater might occur.