‘Sharp jolt’ of 3.4-magnitude earthquake rattles California after 4.7 tremor, USGS says
A 3.4-magnitude earthquake rattled the Los Angeles area less than a day after a 4.7-magnitude tremor shook the region, the U.S. Geological Survey reported.
The nearly 7-mile deep quake hit about 4 miles north of Malibu just before 5 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 13, according to the USGS.
More than 350 people from as far away Long Beach and Riverside reported feeling the tremor to the agency.
“It was just a sharp jolt,” one user said on X, formerly known as Twitter. “It didn’t even rock the pool. But we definitely felt it.”
Another user said they were awakened by an earthquake for the second day in a row.
“This one was smaller, but, stop it already,” the user wrote.
A series of smaller earthquakes also shook the area Sept. 12, according to USGS.
Thursday’s 4.7 earthquake was the “14th seismic sequence with an earthquake of magnitude 4 or greater this year,” breaking the previous 1988 record of 13, the Los Angeles Times reported.
“So yes, this is a more active year than we’ve had in the past,” seismologist Lucy Jones, a Caltech research associate, told the newspaper.
However, “we can’t quite say yet that whether or not that it is actually statistically significant to be seeing this,” she told the newspaper.
What to know about earthquakes
Magnitude measures the energy released at the source of the earthquake, the U.S. Geological Survey says. It replaces the old Richter scale.
Quakes between 2.5 and 5.4 magnitude are often felt but rarely cause much damage, according to Michigan Tech. Quakes below 2.5 magnitude are seldom felt by most people.
Earthquakes’ sudden, rapid shaking can cause fires, tsunamis, landslides or avalanches. They can happen anywhere, but they’re most common in Alaska, California, Hawaii, Oregon, Puerto Rico and Washington, according to the Department of Homeland Security.
If an earthquake strikes, it’s best to protect yourself right away. Here are tips from experts:
If you’re in a car: Pull over and stop. Set your parking brake.
If you’re in bed: Turn face-down and cover your head with a pillow.
If you’re outdoors: Stay away from buildings. Don’t go inside.
If you’re inside: Stay and don’t run outdoors. Stay away from doorways.
The best way to protect yourself during an earthquake is to drop, cover and hold on, officials say.
“Wherever you are, drop down to your hands and knees and hold onto something sturdy,” officials say. “If you’re using a wheelchair or walker with a seat, make sure your wheels are locked and remain seated until the shaking stops.”
Be sure to cover your head and neck with your arms, and crawl under a sturdy table if possible. If no shelter is available, crawl to an interior wall away from windows.
Once under a table, officials say you should hold on with one hand and be ready to move with it.
“There can be serious hazards after an earthquake, such as damage to the building, leaking gas and water lines, or downed power lines,” officials say. “Expect aftershocks to follow the main shock of an earthquake. Be ready to Drop, Cover, and Hold On if you feel an aftershock.”
This story was originally published September 13, 2024 at 7:41 AM with the headline "‘Sharp jolt’ of 3.4-magnitude earthquake rattles California after 4.7 tremor, USGS says."
