5.2-magnitude quake rattles Southern California, then cluster of quakes follows
A 5.2-magnitude earthquake shook Southern California on Monday, April 14, the U.S. Geological Survey reported.
The 8.3-mile-deep quake hit 2.4 miles south of Julian in San Diego County at 10:08 a.m., according to the USGS.
More than 32,000 people from as far away as Los Angeles and San Pedro reported feeling the tremor.
Within less than 10 minutes, seven smaller quakes followed:
- 2.9 quake at 10:10 a.m.
- 2.9 quake, also at 10:10 a.m.
- 2.8 quake at 10:10 a.m.
- 2.7 quake at 10:11 a.m.
- 2.6 quake at 10:12 a.m.
- 3.0 quake at 10:13 a.m.
- 2.5 quake at 10:14 a.m.
Julian is about a 60-mile drive northeast from San Diego. It has a population of 1,491.
State officials are working with authorities to “assess any damage and if emergency response is needed,” according to California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s press office.
There were no reported injuries or major damage immediately following the quake, the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office said on X, adding that the situation was ongoing.
San Diego County firefighter Jarrett Ross told the Los Angeles Times that those working at the agency’s Julian station felt the shake but that it was “nothing too crazy.”
“It was just a long one, probably five seconds long or so,” Ross told the newspaper.
At the nearby Julian Pie Co., office manager Robin Young had a slightly different take on the quake, telling The San Diego Union Tribune it was “powerful” and caused several items to fall from the shelves.
“It was intense,” Young told the newspaper, noting “it didn’t last long enough to get a chance to react. Everyone froze.”
Users on X, formerly known as Twitter, were also quick to comment on the tremor with some calling it a “huge earthquake.”
“That was the biggest earthquake I’ve felt since moving to San Diego,” another user commented.
A number of users reported getting an emergency alert on their phone, then feeling the jolt.
“Wow, that’s the first time I’ve ever gotten an earthquake alert on my phone before it hit,” one user wrote.
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 April 14, 2025 at 10:35 AM with the headline "5.2-magnitude quake rattles Southern California, then cluster of quakes follows."
