[Earthquake Los Angeles] Magnitude-4.6 Earthquake Strikes Near Malibu, Rattles Southern California
Widespread Shaking Felt Across the Region; Aftershocks Reported
Earthquake Los Angeles, A magnitude-4.6 earthquake shook Southern California early Friday afternoon, originating approximately 7 miles northwest of Malibu in the Santa Monica Mountains. The seismic event, reported just before 2 p.m., triggered widespread shaking across the region, from the coast to inland areas, prompting seismologists to monitor closely for aftershocks and potential implications.
Seismologist Dr. Lucy Jones described the event as having a “very robust aftershock sequence,” noting that more than a dozen aftershocks, including magnitudes of 3.0 and 2.7, occurred within an hour following the initial tremor. Despite the initial alarm, Jones reassured the public that the likelihood of the quake being a foreshock to a larger seismic event diminishes over time.
The quake’s impact reverberated throughout the greater Los Angeles area, potentially affecting as many as 12 million people. Reports of shaking poured in from various locations, spanning from the LA, Orange, and Ventura county coasts to inland regions such as the San Fernando Valley, downtown LA, Riverside, Irvine, and Anaheim. Even some parts of north San Diego County reported weak to light shaking.
Marla Dailey, who was working in a Thousand Oaks dental office at the time of the quake, described the experience as a “major jolt.” Despite the initial disruption, Dailey remarked that patients remained calm, and dental procedures continued without significant interruption.
Fortunately, there were no immediate reports of significant damage. However, the Los Angeles Fire Department initiated a damage survey, adhering to standard procedure following a quake of this magnitude. The U.S. National Tsunami Warning Center also confirmed that no tsunami was triggered by the seismic activity.
The earthquake likely occurred along the Malibu Coast Fault, which traverses the coastline in the Santa Monica Mountains and is proximate to communities such as Pacific Palisades, Westwood, Beverly Hills, and Santa Monica. Its eastern end converges with the Santa Monica Fault, compounding concerns about seismic vulnerability in the area.
Coincidentally, the earthquake struck on the same date as the devastating magnitude-6.5 San Fernando earthquake of 1971, which resulted in numerous fatalities, extensive property damage exceeding $500 million, and heightened fears of a potential dam collapse. Although originating in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains north of Los Angeles, the 1971 quake generated tremors felt across the expansive San Fernando Valley.
In a separate seismic event on the same day, a magnitude-5.7 earthquake rattled Hawaii’s Big Island, causing shaking felt approximately 200 miles away on Oahu, including in Honolulu. However, experts clarified that this event was unrelated to the seismic activity experienced in Southern California.
As communities in Southern California grapple with the aftermath of the recent earthquake, authorities urge residents to remain vigilant and prepared for potential aftershocks while emphasizing the importance of earthquake readiness and safety measures in earthquake-prone regions.
Stay tuned for further updates as seismic monitoring and assessment efforts continue across the affected areas.
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