Earthquake West of Los Angeles
4.6-Magnitude Quake Strikes Southern California Coast
No Injuries or Serious Damage Reported
A light 4.6-magnitude earthquake struck west of Los Angeles on Friday, causing minor shaking but no injuries or serious damage. The temblor occurred at 3:35 p.m. PT, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). The epicenter was located about 10 miles west of Malibu, near the Santa Monica Mountains.
The earthquake was felt in Los Angeles and surrounding areas, but there were no reports of major damage. Some residents reported feeling light shaking and hearing a rumble, but no buildings were seriously damaged. The Los Angeles Fire Department said it did not receive any calls for service related to the earthquake.
The USGS said the earthquake was a "strike-slip" event, meaning that it occurred along a fault line where the two sides of the fault moved horizontally past each other. The fault line is part of the San Andreas Fault system, which runs through California and is capable of producing large earthquakes.
The earthquake is a reminder of the seismic risks that face Southern California. The San Andreas Fault is one of the most active seismic faults in the world, and it is capable of producing earthquakes of magnitude 8.0 or higher. Scientists estimate that there is a 30% chance of a major earthquake striking the Los Angeles area in the next 30 years.
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