Earthquake Felt Across Southern California

LOS ANGELES, CA — A magnitude 4.4 earthquake epicentered near Highland Park, Los Angeles jolted Southern California Monday afternoon, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

The earthquake hit at 12:20 p.m. and was centered about 2.5 miles southeast of Highland Park in Northeast Los Angeles. It occurred at a depth of about 7.5 miles, according to the USGS.

The USGS initially estimated the temblor was a magnitude 4.6 before downgrading it to a 4.4 within 10 minutes.

In Pasadena, north of the quake's epicenter, a water line ruptured, leading water to pour out on the exterior of City Hall. There were also reports of a person being stuck in an elevator in the building, but no injuries. Employees evacuated the building and returned within an hour.

Countywide, there was no major damage or road closures reported due to the quake, according to county Supervisor Holly Mitchell.

The Los Angeles Fire Department immediately went into "earthquake mode," sending out crews to survey by land, air and sea to check for damage to buildings and infrastructure. The department concluded the operation by 1:45 p.m. and reported no significant damage or injuries within the city.

Other public safety agencies across the region also dispatched crews to check for any possible damage.

Metro slowed its trains for a period of time following the earthquake, but soon resumed normal service following a systemwide inspection, the agency said.

The quake could be felt across Southern California, with the most intense shaking in central Los Angeles County.

Within minutes of the temblor, nearly 15,000 people reported feeling the shaking, according to the USGS, which estimated shaking could be felt across the Inland Empire and as far west as Twentynine Palms, as far south as northern San Diego County and as far north as Santa Cruz.

Lucy Jones told reporters the earthquake appeared to be based in the same group of faults that created the 1987 Whittier Narrows quake.

"There have been others in the past," Jones said. "In 1989 we had a pair of four-and-a-half's there were also in the system that were just a half-hour apart. There have been plenty of small ones over the years that are also within this."

The region has been seismically active lately. On Tuesday, a 5.2 magnitude earthquake struck about 20 miles southwest of Bakersfield, sending tremors across the Southland. The quake was followed by dozens of aftershocks in quick succession in Grapevine in Kern County.

The week before that, a series of quakes struck south of Barstow including a magnitude 4.7 quake. It's been many years since so many quakes larger than a 4.0 have struck so close together in such quick succession in Southern California.

LA County officials in the aftermath of Monday's quake reminded residents to "drop, cover and hold on" during temblors and prompted people to visit the county's online resource for tips about how to prepare for earthquakes.

City News Service contributed to this report.

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