Preliminary 4.2 magnitude earthquake shakes Los Angeles area
An earthquake with a preliminary 4.2 magnitude shook Southern California early Thursday morning, according to the United States Geological Survey.
The quake hit at about 4:30 a.m. local time near the Pacoima neighborhood of Los Angeles, about 30 miles north of downtown, but was felt around the San Fernando Valley.
Several aftershocks followed, including a preliminary 3.8-magnitude quake.
The Los Angeles Fire Department said there were no early reports of significant damage or injury.
A magnitude 4.2 earthquake based in the San Fernando valley shook L.A. at 4:29 a.m. Our @LAFD has conducted its routine assessment for any damage in the city. No reports of significant damage or injury. https://t.co/d2niauLdzF
— MayorOfLA (@MayorOfLA) July 30, 2020
Los Angeles International Airport's operations were not affected by the temblor, according to airport officials.
The Los Angeles Police Department also said its systems were unaffected. "Yes, we felt it too," said a tweet from the department. "A reminder, when an earthquake does happen, please don’t call 9-1-1 unless you have an emergency."
Many Los Angeles residents were startled out of sleep by the quake. “We were woken up by the earthquake,” Carlos Garcia, who lives in Pacoima, told NBC Los Angeles. “When I woke up, I just felt the jolt. Got up, checked on the family. Everyone was ok.”
Manuel Rivera said he was napping in his car at a gas station before an early morning work shift when he was jolted awake. "I thought somebody was hitting my car," Rivera said. "But no, that was the earthquake."
Some well-known Los Angeles residents tweeted about the intensity of the quake.
Chrissy Teigen wrote that the early morning jolt felt bigger than the reported magnitude. "It’s always smaller than it feels," Teigen tweeted. "Anyhoo LA keeping it exciting, nature is crazy."
Earthquakes have never scared me before but I’m currently shaking in my boots. That was terrifying. 😭 #earthquake
— Brec Bassinger (@Brecbassinger) July 30, 2020
The most 2020 #earthquake to wake up to.
— Jameela Jamil 🌈 (@jameelajamil) July 30, 2020