Magnitude 4.4 Earthquake Shakes Los Angeles, Particularly Highland Park Area
The calm of a Monday lunchtime in Los Angeles was disrupted when a magnitude 4.4 earthquake struck, causing buildings to tremble and leaving many residents throughout the region feeling shaken. Despite the widespread alarm triggered by the quake, there have been no reports of major damage or injuries to date.
Felt Across Southern California
The quake’s impact was felt from San Diego County to Simi Valley, reaching as far as Victorville and Redlands. Residents closest to the earthquake epicenter recorded videos of a powerful tremor and associated rattling, which led to a few distressing cries and gave rise to panicked actions from several pets. Kyle Shearer, a resident of Highland Park, described it as “very, very scary”, adding that even though it was not his first encounter with an earthquake, it was the most frightening “in a long time”.
The details of the Earthquake
The earthquake was marked at a depth of approximately six miles, with the epicenter stationed in Highland Park. Initially pegged as having a magnitude of 4.7, this estimate was later reduced to 4.4 following further analysis.
Martha Fuerst School of Nursing professor Christine Chandler described the moment of the seismic event as a sudden “jolt”, adding, “And then the building just started to shake violently. It wasn’t those nice roll-y ones we get. I had to hold on to the door jamb.”
Immediate Response from the Authorities
Fire departments in both the LA county and city, due to the perceived scale of the event, entered earthquake mode to survey the region for potential damage or impacted infrastructure. Los Angeles city fire called off earthquake mode at 1:15 p.m., having found no signs of damage.
However, some minor damage was reported in Pasadena, a few miles away from the epicenter. An area named incident occurred at the Pasadena City Hall where a sprinkler head broke at the top of the city hall rotunda, causing a stream of water to flood out onto the sidewalk. This situation resulted in approximately 200 staff members being evacuated from the building.
An individual was temporarily trapped in an elevator in the City Hall building as a result of the earthquake but was quickly aided by firefighters who managed to extricate them. Firefighters were also investigating a report of a ruptured gas line, although it remains unconfirmed whether this was a direct consequence of the earthquake.
Statement from Seismologist
Dr. Lucy Jones, a Seismologist, clarified the fault system involved in the 4.4 earthquake in Highland Park, stating, “This area has a network of buried faults, so it’s not something that shows up on the surface. The same network was involved in the 1987 Whittier Narrows quake. However, whether it’s the same strand or not, because it’s complicated and at depth, we’ll never be able to say.”
Staying Prepared for an Earthquake
It is essential to stay prepared for such a natural disaster. Having an earthquake kit in advance can save lives during “the big one”. Essentials in the kit should include bottled water, canned food, a first-aid kit, a flashlight, batteries, and a hand-crank radio.
All relevant parties continue to keep a close watch on further developments after this powerful seismic event. The utmost priority remains the safety and security of Los Angeles residents, and all measures to ensure preparedness for future events are being taken.
Author: STAFF HERE MYRTLE BEACH
The HERE Myrtle Beach Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Myrtle Beach community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background Local Roots in Myrtle Beach Our team includes lifelong Myrtle Beach residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent developments along the Grand Strand, Myrtle Beach’s tourism and hospitality industry, and growth in local education sectors (e.g., Coastal Carolina University programs). Collective Experience With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
