A 5.2-magnitude earthquake struck Southern California on Tuesday night, drawing attention to the significance of its depth. The quake occurred near Mettler in Kern County at 9:09 p.m., originating approximately 7 miles beneath the Earth’s surface.
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) classified this earthquake as “shallow,” which they define based on depth categories: shallow (0-70 km), intermediate (70-300 km), and deep (300-700 km).
Dr. Lucy Jones, a seismologist, noted on social media, “I felt this quake for a change,” emphasizing its location at the southern end of the Central Valley near the White Wolf fault, which is historically notable for producing a 7.5 magnitude earthquake in 1952, though the recent quake did not appear to be on that fault line.
Residents across Southern California reported feeling the tremor, with accounts reaching as far south as San Diego. Experts attributed the wide impact to its shallow depth. Robert de Groot from the USGS ShakeAlert System explained, “The depth definitely influenced how we feel it. Shallow earthquakes produce stronger shaking at the surface compared to deeper quakes of the same magnitude.” He added that the soft soil of the Los Angeles area can amplify the shaking.
De Groot emphasized that the perceived intensity of the quake might be greater than expected due to these factors. Understanding the depth of an earthquake provides valuable insights into geological structures and tectonic settings. In regions like Southern California, quakes often originate in the shallow crust, typically around 10 miles deep. “The earthquake Tuesday night was fairly common in terms of the depth,” de Groot concluded.