Millions of residents in the Los Angeles area were shaken by a 4.7 magnitude earthquake on Thursday Morning. The quake struck as the region continues to battle multiple wildfires.
According to the US Geological Survey, the epicenter was 4 miles north of Malibu. The tremor caused boulders to tumble onto a Malibu Road and visibly shook the Santa Monica pier. Despite the scare, no injuries or significant damage were reported immediately.
The quake was felt up to 45 miles away in Orange County, followed by several smaller aftershocks. Residents reported items moving into their homes.
A live camera on the Santa Monica pier captured intense shaking for several seconds. Malibu Councilmember Bruce Silverstein described it as the hardest quake he had experienced in 13 years.
Residents feel intense shaking across Los Angeles, as firefighters work to control destructive wildfires.LA’s celebrity residents, including Paris Hilton and Khloe Kardashian, shared their reactions on social media, describing the tremor as frightening.
Thursday’s earthquake was one of several recent quakes in the area, adding to a year of heightened seismic activity in Southern California.
Seismologist Lucy Jones stated that while this year’s total of 14 quakes with a magnitude of 4.0 or higher is above the usual average, it’s too early to conclude the significance of this trend.
Meanwhile, the region is battling three major wildfires. The blazes, which erupted during a heatwave, have destroyed homes and forced evacuations.
Firefighters are making progress as cooler weather arrives. California is experiencing a particularly destructive wildfire season, with fires threatening thousands of homes and structures. Governor Gavin Newsom has deployed National Guard troops, and President Biden is closely monitoring the situation.