California rocked by 4.4 magnitude earthquake near Los Angeles

An earthquake with a magnitude of 4.4 has struck near Los Angeles, California, according to the US Geological Service.

The earthquake occurred at 12.20pm just 2 miles southeast of Highland Park, a Los Angeles neighborhood, and has a depth of 12.1km (7.5 miles), the agency reported.

Although it was first classified as a 4.7 earthquake, USGS downgraded it to a 4.4 moments after it rocked Southern California. Shaking was felt in Los Angeles, East San Gabriel, Rosemead, Monterey Park and Long Beach, according to USGS.

The Los Angeles Fire Department announced it immediately went into “earthquake mode,” meaning it will conduct an hourlong survey to examine “critical infrastructure and areas of local concern.”

There are currently no initial reports of structural damage or injuries, fire officials said.

The fire department encouraged locals to protect their heads and necks while taking cover under sturdy furniture or near a sturdy interior wall, away from windows and doorways until the shaking stops.

The Los Angeles Police Department called it a “significant” earthquake and told locals to “be prepared for aftershocks.”

California Governor Gavin Newsom posted on X after the earthquake: “We’re monitoring the earthquake in Southern California and @Cal_OES is coordinating with local authorities to assess any potential damage.” Newsom encouraged Californians to download the ShakeAlert app to get notified of early warning signs of an earthquake.

Seismologist Lucy Jones shared in a post on X that Monday’s quake seemed to have occurred in “essentially the same location” as another quake that rattled the region on June 2.