Magnitude 4.6 earthquake hits California: What we know

On Monday afternoon, an earthquake shook southern California, shaking nerves and buildings throughout the greater Los Angeles area.

The quake, whose magnitude was initially reported at 4.6 but later revised to 4.4 by the US Geological Survey (USGS), occurred at 12:20 p.m. local time, with the epicenter near Highland Park, northeast of downtown Los Angeles.

The epicenter of the quake was located about 4 km south-southeast of Highland Park at a depth of 12 km, according to USGS data. Although no significant damage or injuries were reported, the quake was widely felt throughout the region, with residents from various parts of the greater Los Angeles area reporting shaking.

Newsweek emailed the National Weather Service (NWS) and the USGS for comment on Monday.

This latest seismic event occurred just days after a larger magnitude 5.2 earthquake that struck near Bakersfield on August 7, and highlights California’s continued vulnerability to seismic activity along the San Andreas Fault system.

The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) conducted a routine air and ground survey after the earthquake and reported no major building damage or fires, but urged residents to be alert for possible aftershocks and to watch for household hazards such as gas leaks or overturned furniture.

During the earthquake, there were brief disruptions in local businesses and public spaces. At Occidental College in Eagle Rock, just a few kilometers from the epicenter, students reported feeling strong shaking.

Los Angeles’ public transportation system experienced minor delays as subway trains automatically slowed down due to the earthquake. Normal service resumed after inspections of the tracks and infrastructure.

Last week’s earthquake also triggered heightened attention at critical infrastructure sites. The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power reported no disruptions to the city’s water and electricity services, but conducted precautionary inspections of key facilities.

Local authorities have urged residents to stay informed and prepared during today’s earthquake. They are encouraging Los Angeles residents to visit ready.gov to learn about preparing for future earthquakes.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass took to X (formerly Twitter) to calm residents’ fears following the sudden quake: “A preliminary magnitude 4.7 earthquake struck the Los Angeles region this afternoon. Our @LAFD is now in earthquake mode and will be activated to conduct its routine survey of the city and assess any damage.”