Earthquake Shakes Los Angeles as Tremors Persist in California

By: David Donovan | Published: Sep 13, 2024

Parts of Southern California were shaken by a 4.7-magnitude earthquake early Thursday morning following weeks of seismic activity.

The quake was centered in the Malibu area at 7:28 am. Malibu, Hermosa Beach, La Mirada, Anaheim, the Hollywood Hills, and parts of the San Fernando Valley reported shaking from the earthquake.

Newsom’s Cooperation

“To monitor the earthquake in the Los Angeles area and [evaluate] any potential damage,” California Governor Gavin Newsom stated on X that he was cooperating with the state’s Office of Emergency Services and local authorities.

Gavin Newsom at his second gubernatorial swearing-in ceremony, at the Plaza de California, 2023, he speaks into a podium with mics.

Source: Government of California/gov.ca.gov

On X, Mayor Karen Bass of Los Angeles stated that the quake was felt throughout the Los Angeles region.

“Routine Survey”

Bass added that the Los Angeles Fire Department “has activated to conduct its routine survey of the city to assess for any damages” and “city teams will continue to monitor” the aftermath of the earthquake.

Karen Bass speaking during her mayoral campaign kickoff in 2021, she speaks into a mic attached to a podium with a banner for her campaign behind her.

Source: Karen Bass For Mayor/Flickr

The quake reached a depth of seven miles. When an earthquake is between 0 and 40 miles deep, it is more likely to be felt.

Occurrence of Aftershocks

Before being downgraded the magnitude was originally reported at 5.1. More than a dozen aftershocks of up to 3.5 magnitude have likewise been felt nearby.

Shrubbery at the College Avenue campus at Rutgers University with shrubs spelling out the college’s name, flowers surround it with trees and a sprinkler with buildings in the background

Source: Tomwsulcer/Wikimedia Commons

“Aftershocks tend to occur for weeks to months after the initial earthquake,” James Bourke, a post-doctoral fellow at the Rutgers University Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, recently told Newsweek.

LA Metro Inspection

Los Angeles Metro posted on X that trains on the Los Angeles Metro system were slowed down to inspect them for damages. According to Metro, the practice is standard procedure, and no faults were found during the check.

Metro Rail light rail train in 2023, LA, there are people waiting on either side of the platform with trees in the background

Source: ROTRANSIT/Wikimedia Commons

So far, there have been no reports of injuries or major damage.

Fire Department Report

The Los Angeles Fire Department said it studied the city “by land, air, and sea” and found no significant damage to infrastructure or injuries.

LAFD Bell 412 helicopter, the vehicle is red and white with orange and white propellors as it is mid-flight with hills in the background

Source: Christian Valle/Wikimedia Commons

Following the earthquake, there are no active tsunami warnings, advisories, watches, or threats. For some local residents, the seismic tremor didn’t have much of an effect on their day.

“Like a Regular Day”

Urth Caffe employee in Los Angeles Stephanie Jimenez stated, “I personally did not feel the earthquake and I don’t think anyone else did, because no one was saying anything. It was like a regular day”

The Fox Theater in Bakersfield, the building has a tower with Fox on it and a clock, there are trees and hedges outside of the building which is on a street corner.

Source: Bobak Ha’Eri/Wikimedia Commons

The region has been impacted by a few large earthquakes as of late including the south of Bakersfield-centered 5.2 magnitude quake last month.

August Activity

On Saturday, tremors of sizes 3.5 and 3.9 were felt in regions of Southern California, including Los Angeles and Orange County. The center of the quakes was located in Ontario, California.

The Highland Park Masonic Temple, there are people walking in front of the building which has a second floor balcony with arches

Source: Los Angeles/Wikimedia Commons

A 4.4-magnitude earthquake struck Los Angeles and the surrounding communities on August 13. Two miles south of Highland Park, the epicenter was located.

Higher Frequency

The Highland Park quake caused tremors that were felt in Los Angeles County, Orange County, and Riverside County.

From Monte Vista to the 110 freeway, 2018, the view shows houses and buildings along with hills in the distance

Source: Camiloarenivar/Wikimedia Commons

The area had recorded 13 earthquakes which measured a magnitude of 4.0 or more this year by mid-August. That is higher than the area’s typical frequency of 10 to 12 every year.

Bakersfield Quake

During the Bakersfield earthquake tremors were experienced in Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles during a baseball game between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Hotel Padre has long been a landmark in downtown Bakersfield, California, USA, the building has a fire escape and says Padre on the roof.

Source: Bobak Ha’Eri/Wikimedia Commons

Arvin experienced moderate shakes that lasted 1.1 seconds with light shakes in Bakersfield of 2.2 seconds and Tehachapi of 9.9 seconds.

Seismic Impact

While no damage was reported following the Bakersfield earthquake a boulder being cleared caused two lanes of the southbound I-5 Freeway south of Grapevine Road to be closed by emergency services.

California State Route 178 at M Street near downtown Bakersfield on a foggy day, cars are driving near traffic lights

Source: David Jordan/Wikipedia

Additionally, footage broadcast by ABC7 Los Angeles showed people running from a local shop as items were thrown from shelves onto the ground.

Past Earthquakes

The location of the earthquake may have caused concern for people given past earthquakes according to Dr. Lucy Jones, a visiting associate in geophysics at Caltech.

Dr. Lucy Jones standing on stage near other people with a table and mic ready for a radio show

Source: DrLucyJones/X

“The location is at the southern end of the Central Valley, so it’s very near where we had a magnitude 7.5 in 1952. However, it does not appear to be on the same fault as that earthquake.”

While Californians may live in fear of “the big one” it looks like citizens are safe for now.