California, USA: A powerful 4.2 magnitude earthquake hit Southern California less than a mile from Lytle Creek, a sparsely populated community located about 16 miles north of downtown San Bernardino. The tremors began shortly before 11 a.m., causing widespread shaking across the region. Fortunately, the Los Angeles Fire Department swiftly reported no injuries or damage to structures within the city, which is approximately 60 miles west of the earthquake’s epicenter.
This marks the second significant earthquake in the area this week, following a 4.1 magnitude quake off the coast on New Year’s Day. The recent seismic activity has put the region on edge, with the Pasadena Fire Department humorously reporting that the Rose Bowl Parade was off to a “rocking start.”
The latest earthquake, initially reported at magnitude 4.6 but later downgraded, centered in the San Bernardino County community of Lytle Creek, situated in the San Gabriel Mountains. The quake’s impact extended across a broad area, including Long Beach, Carson, parts of the San Fernando Valley, Riverside, San Bernardino, and portions of Orange County. Fortunately, there have been no immediate reports of damage or injuries.
Residents experienced a noticeable shake, with reports of items falling in establishments like Melody’s Place in Lytle Creek. Cari Torguson, a bartender at the establishment, described feeling “a hard boom and a shake,” emphasizing that, while not long, the quake was indeed frightening. A decorative glass mushroom above the bar fell and broke, and a jar of instant coffee toppled off a shelf in the adjoining store.
Seismologist Lucy Jones noted that the earthquake occurred in Cajon Pass, where the San Andreas and San Jacinto faults converge. This area experienced a magnitude 5.2 quake in 1970, indicating a history of seismic activity. The earthquake warning system, ShakeAlert, initially estimated the magnitude above 4.5, triggering alerts to cell phones, highlighting the importance of early warnings in earthquake-prone regions.
As authorities assess the impact of the quake on the Lytle Creek region, residents remain vigilant amid ongoing seismic activity, emphasizing the need for preparedness and community resilience in the face of natural disasters.