An earthquake measuring 4.6 on the Richter scale struck the Southern California coast near Malibu on Friday afternoon, causing widespread tremors throughout the Los Angeles region. Fortunately, there have been no immediate reports of major damage or injuries. The quake, which occurred at 1:47 p.m. local time, had a depth of 13 kilometers, as confirmed by the U.S. Geological Survey.
Located approximately 35 miles west of downtown Los Angeles in the Santa Monica Mountains, the affected area felt the impact from the Malibu coast to Orange County and even stretched eastward to downtown Los Angeles. The Los Angeles Fire Department stated that the earthquake was “widely felt” throughout the city, but there were no immediate signs of significant harm or casualties.
One witness account came from Emma Carroll, a bookseller at Malibu Village Books near Malibu Lagoon State Beach. She described the moment when the floor shook, causing hesitation among both customers and staff. However, Carroll reassured everyone that they were all safe. Although a few books fell off the shelves, the incident was relatively minor.
Fortunately, there was no cause for concern regarding a potential tsunami. The U.S. National Tsunami Warning Center confirmed that the earthquake did not trigger any tsunami activity.
Interestingly, this earthquake occurred on the 53rd anniversary of another significant seismic event in Southern California’s history. On this day in 1971, the San Fernando earthquake, also known as the Sylmar earthquake, rocked the region with a magnitude of 6.6. Sadly, that earthquake resulted in the loss of 64 lives and caused over $500 million worth of damage.
As residents and authorities continue to assess the situation following this recent earthquake near Malibu, it serves as a stark reminder of the ever-present seismic activity in Southern California. Though this particular tremor did not cause significant harm, it is crucial for individuals to remain prepared and aware of the potential risks associated with living in an earthquake-prone area.
