Los Angeles residents experienced a jolt from a 4.7 magnitude earthquake early Thursday, coinciding with wildfires burning in the nearby mountains, which created an orange glow behind the downtown skyline. The quake sent boulders onto Malibu roads, shook Santa Monica’s historic wooden pier, and disrupted the sleep of many residents, though no injuries or significant damage were immediately reported.
The shaking, which is a common occurrence in Southern California, was centered approximately four miles north of Malibu and occurred about seven miles underground. Tremors were felt as far away as Orange County, prompting reports of household items shifting. After the initial quake, several smaller aftershocks were recorded.
Authorities conducted assessments throughout the region to check for damage but found nothing that warranted concern. Malibu Councilmember Bruce Silverstein remarked that despite being the strongest quake he has felt in his 13 years living in the area, his home sustained no damage, although it shook for a few seconds.
Cameras captured the shaking live at the 115-year-old Santa Monica Pier, located around 12 miles from the epicenter. Emergency crews were deployed to clear large boulders from Malibu Canyon Road as a result of the quake.
The earthquake was close to both the Malibu and Anacapa faults. According to experts, quakes below a magnitude of 5.0 are typically too minor to establish a direct link to the larger, mapped faults in the area.
At a local breakfast restaurant, manager Rene Vasquez noted that while staff ducked outside during the tremors, they were grateful that nothing fell. Surfer Albert Daniel at a nearby Starbucks expressed relief as well, saying it wasn’t a severe shaking despite the initial scare.
Visitor Trudy Novicki, preparing for meditation on her hotel balcony, mistook the shaking for a truck collision. Her daughter, experiencing her first earthquake, thought it was the sound of a train.
The earthquake prompted reactions on social media from several residents and celebrities. Paris Hilton described the experience as frightening, while Khloe Kardashian noted the quake’s intensity.
Many residents received alerts from the state’s earthquake early warning system. The area has seen frequent seismic activity recently, with a 4.4 magnitude quake in August affecting a wide area, including San Diego.
This earthquake marks the 14th of magnitude 4.0 or higher in Southern California this year. Although this frequency is above the historical average, experts say it’s too early to determine if this indicates a trend toward increased seismic activity. Residents are advised to prepare for potential aftershocks, with a 1 in 20 chance of another quake of 4.7 magnitude or greater occurring soon.