Southern California Rocked by Magnitude 5.2 Earthquake
Moderate Quake Shakes Los Angeles and Surrounding Areas
Updated: 12:20 PM PT, January 3, 2024
A moderately strong earthquake with a magnitude of 5.2 struck Southern California on Tuesday, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). The quake was centered in El Sereno, a neighborhood in the eastern part of Los Angeles, and was felt throughout the greater Los Angeles area, including Orange County, Ventura County, and the Inland Empire.
The earthquake occurred at 3:50 AM local time, jolting residents from their sleep and causing buildings to shake for several seconds. There have been no reports of major damage or injuries at this time. However, power outages and gas leaks have been reported in some areas of Los Angeles.
The USGS estimates that within the next three decades, there is about a 46% chance of an earthquake of magnitude 7.5 or greater occurring in Southern California. The part of the San Andreas Fault located near Parkfield, California, is a particularly active area and has been the site of several large earthquakes in the past.
California's earthquake early-warning system is getting a seismic upgrade that will allow it to issue warnings to residents seconds before an earthquake strikes. The system is expected to be fully operational by the end of 2024.
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