Magnitude 4.7 earthquake jolts Los Angeles area

An earthquake with a magnitude of 4.7 jolted the Los Angeles area on Thursday morning, and its impact was felt by millions of people across the region.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey , the quake struck at 7:28 a.m. with an epicenter 4.3 miles north of Malibu at a depth of nearly seven miles.

The quake was initially reported as magnitude 5.1 before being downgraded to 4.6 and then ultimately 4.7. Several KTLA viewers reported feeling the quake in the Inland Empire, and the USGS impact map shows it was also felt in areas of Orange County, Santa Barbara County and San Diego County.

“It is striking that some of the stronger shaking, not surprisingly, but it’s right down the west side of Los Angeles,” said seismologist Dr. Lucy Jones. “It seems to have been pretty widely felt.”

The quake was followed by at least two aftershocks measuring 2.8 and 3.4

The Los Angeles Fire Department activated Earthquake Mode shortly after the quake, which was completed by 8:30 a.m. No infrastructure damage or injuries were reported within the city of Los Angeles.

According to the California Highway Patrol, some rocks and dirt tumbled onto Malibu Canyon Road near Piuma Road, near the quake’s epicenter. Traffic was temporarily halted while Public Works cleared the debris.

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Thousands of earthquakes are recorded in California yearly, but the vast majority are extremely minor. Several hundred reach a magnitude of 3.0, and only about 15 to 20 are greater than magnitude 4.0, according to the USGS .

While there’s been more quakes than typical this year, Jones said there’s no known pattern when it comes to quake activity.

“Yes we are feeling ( more quakes this year ) but it’s not yet statistically significant,” Jones said in a news conference Thursday. “Seismologists look for patterns — everybody looks for patterns — that’s why we have myths of earthquake weather and animals and all of these things are us trying to form a pattern of what is inherently a random distribution.”

In North America, only Alaska records more quakes per year than California.

What to do in an earthquake

During an earthquake, experts say knowing the proper steps to protect yourself and minimize injury is crucial. The California Department of Public Health provides detailed guidelines on what to do during such events. Here are the key points:

Drop, Cover, and Hold On:

Drop: Immediately drop down onto your hands and knees. This position prevents you from being knocked over and allows you to stay low and crawl to safety if necessary.

Cover: Use one arm to protect your head and neck, and if possible, take shelter under a sturdy table or desk. If no shelter is available, get down next to an interior wall away from windows. Stay on your knees and bend over to protect vital organs.

Hold On: Hold on to your shelter until the shaking stops. Be prepared to move with your shelter if it shifts.

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