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Climate and Environment

LA rattled by a 4.7 magnitude quake centered in the Malibu hills

A star marks the location of Thursday's earthquake.
(
Courtesy USGS
)

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A 4.7 magnitude earthquake struck at about 7:28 this morning in the hills above Malibu, about three miles inland from Point Dume. It was 6.8 miles deep.

No structural damage was reported within a few hours of the quake. With the Los Angeles Fire Department and the Ventura Sheriff's Department giving the all clear. There was no damage to schools in Malibu, according to the Santa Monica–Malibu Unified School District.

Moderate shaking was recorded close to the site in cities like Agoura, while weak shaking was experienced in Santa Clarita and Los Angeles, according to the U.S. Geological Survey's ShakeMap.

"Moderate or significant damage doesn't show up until you're at or above a magnitude 5," said seismologist Lucy Jones, during a Caltech press conference that quickly followed the quake.

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A map of Southern California shows the intensity of shaking
(
U.S. Geological Survey
)

Ten aftershocks were recorded within two hours of the initial event, though only one was above a magnitude 3. There's a 3% chance that a magnitude 5 or larger quake will strike in the coming week, though the likelihood will decrease as time goes on.

Shaking widely felt

People reported feeling shaking as far north as Bakersfield and as far south as San Diego, according to the USGS Did You Feel It tool.

An early warning was issued by the U.S. Geological Survey’s ShakeAlert system, which initially reported the quake as a 5.0.

Alert message warns recipient to brace for an incoming quake.
(
Courtesy Jenn Baughmann
)

There was never any threat of a tsunami per the U.S. Tsunami Warning Center.

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We have earthquake resources

We don't want to scare you, but the Big One is coming. We don't know when, but we know it'll be at least 44 times stronger than Northridge and 11 times stronger than the Ridgecrest quakes in 2019. To help you get prepared, we've compiled a handy reading list:

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You’re at Union Station when the big one hits. The next two minutes are terrifying. By the time you make your way outside, the Los Angeles you know is gone. Experience what the first hours after a massive earthquake could be like.

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