A 4.7 magnitude earthquake struck near Malibu early Wednesday morning, the U.S. Geological Survey reports. Originally recorded at a higher magnitude of 5.1, the quake's strength was later downgraded to 4.7, with an epicenter located approximately 3.5 miles northwest of Malibu, hitting at a depth of about 6.5 miles. Residents across Southern California felt the tremors, stretching from the coastlines, as far inland as the Central Valley.
The series of aftershocks that ensued included, a 3.4-magnitude quake roughly an hour later and several more, registering at 2.8-magnitude. According to CBS News Los Angeles, a 3.5 magnitude aftershock occurred at 9:37 a.m., some 3.7 miles from the earthquake's epicenter. Despite the initial jolt and the successive aftershocks, no structural damages or injuries were reported in the immediate aftermath.
Responding to the seismic activity, "Pursuant to protocol, the Los Angeles Fire Department is now in earthquake mode, as personnel from all 106 neighborhood fire stations conduct a strategic survey by land, air, and sea of their districts, examining critical infrastructure and areas of local concern across our 470-square-mile city of Los Angeles jurisdiction," CBS News Los Angeles was told by the LAFD in a statement. Meanwhile, trains within Los Angeles' Metro system were slowed to check for any potential damage, as confirmed by NBC Los Angeles.
Dr. Lucy Jones, a noted seismologist, addressed questions about the recent uptick in earthquake activity, telling ABC7 Los Angeles that Southern California has indeed experienced more than the average number of 4.0 magnitude earthquakes this year. "Notice these numbers are small, however. So yes, we are feeling it but it's not yet statistically significant," Jones stated. Jones also dispelled myths regarding weather influencing earthquakes and animals predicting seismic events, underscoring the random nature of earthquake occurrences.
Regarding the concern of a potential tsunami, the National Weather Service reported no threat following the Malibu quake. Local officials, including Malibu City Councilman Bruce Silverstein, indicated that crews were dispatched to assess roadways and buildings, on the lookout for any hidden damage, a detail provided by ABC7 Los Angeles. As communities wait for what might rumble beneath them next, the series of quakes in recent weeks, including a 3.9 magnitude near Ontario and another near Hemet, punctuates the region's familiar, yet unpredictable dance with the fault lines threading beneath its feet.
