Los Angeles Rocked by 4.4 Magnitude Earthquake

A 4.4 magnitude earthquake struck Southern California on Monday afternoon, causing shockwaves felt throughout the region.

The U.S. Geological Survey reported that the quake, initially measured at magnitude 4.7, occurred around 12:20 p.m., approximately 2.5 miles south-southeast of Highland Park near the Chinatown neighborhood of Los Angeles.

With a depth of 7.5 miles, the earthquake was widely felt, as hundreds of people across the greater Los Angeles area reported experiencing the shaking, according to the USGS “Felt Report.”

The tremor was sensed from L.A.’s westside to the Inland Empire and beyond, according to viewers of KTLA.

In Hollywood, KTLA’s Glen Walker remarked that the “whole building was shaking pretty good.” He mentioned that the station’s engineering team was assessing the building for any issues.

Due to the earthquake, the Los Angeles Fire Department entered “earthquake mode” after the shaking stopped. Fire personnel from all 106 LAFD neighborhood stations were dispatched to inspect their districts for damage to critical infrastructure or “areas of local concern.”

As of 1:45 p.m., this process was ongoing, with no significant infrastructure damage reported within the LAFD service area.

Margaret Stewart from the LAFD informed KTLA that there were no “reports of extensive damage anywhere.”

However, footage from Sky 5 showed water gushing from the side of Pasadena City Hall, with fire crews on the scene.

Fire crews gathered outside Pasadena City Hall, where water leaked from the building following the 4.4 magnitude earthquake on Monday, August 12, 2024, according to KTLA.

The National Weather Service confirmed that the U.S. Tsunami Warning System was not activated, and there was no tsunami threat from Monday’s quake.

This is a developing story. Stay tuned to KTLA 5 News for updates.

Latest California Earthquakes

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Thousands of earthquakes are recorded in California each year, but the vast majority are extremely minor. Several hundred reach a magnitude of 3.0, and only about 15 to 20 exceed a magnitude of 4.0, according to the USGS.

In North America, only Alaska experiences more earthquakes annually than California.

What to Do in an Earthquake

Knowing the proper steps to protect yourself and minimize injury during an earthquake is crucial. The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) provides detailed guidelines on what to do during such events. Here are the key points:

Drop, Cover, and Hold On:

• Drop: Immediately drop down onto your hands and knees. This position prevents you from being knocked over and allows you to stay low and crawl to safety if necessary.
• Cover: Use one arm to protect your head and neck, and if possible, take shelter under a sturdy table or desk. If no shelter is available, get down next to an interior wall away from windows. Stay on your knees and bend over to protect vital organs.