A 4.4-magnitude earthquake hit Los Angeles County early Monday, shaking buildings and unnerving residents across Southern California, as reported by the U.S. Geological Survey.
The tremor occurred around 12:20 p.m. at a depth of approximately six miles, with the epicenter located in Highland Park. Although the quake was initially recorded as a magnitude of 4.7, it was soon revised downwards. Reports indicate that shaking was felt as far away as San Diego County, Simi Valley, and Redlands, leaving many in shock.
Residents in the vicinity captured videos showing the strong jolt and chaotic movement, with some expressing their fear. “It was very, very scary,” said Highland Park resident Kyle Shearer, noting that while it was not his first quake, it was likely the most frightening in recent times.
Professor Christine Chandler, from Martha Fuerst School of Nursing in Glendale, described the experience as a violent shake that required her to hold onto the door frame for stability.
In response to the quake, both the Los Angeles county and city fire departments entered earthquake mode to assess potential damage in the area. The city fire department concluded their search at 1:15 p.m., reporting no significant damage.
Pasadena experienced some minor issues, with a broken pipe at Pasadena City Hall leading to water spilling onto the sidewalk. Around 200 employees had to be evacuated, and firefighters quickly addressed the situation by shutting off the broken sprinkler head responsible for the leak. One individual was briefly trapped in an elevator but was freed without incident.
Deputy Chief Anthony James of the Pasadena Fire Department, who experienced the quake while driving, shared his surprise at the force of the tremor, stating, “It felt like the whole ground was going away from under me.”
Seismologist Dr. Lucy Jones noted that the shaking felt more intense to many Southern Californians than other recent quakes. This is often due to the higher population density, which amplifies the feeling of seismic activities. She explained that the area has a web of buried faults, making it challenging to identify the exact fault responsible for this quake, although it shares a history with the 1987 Whittier Narrows earthquake.