Residents in Los Angeles were jolted awake early Thursday morning after a magnitude 4.2 earthquake rocked the Southland, the U.S. Geological Survey reported.
At least two aftershocks have been recorded so far.
The initial temblor struck at 4:29 a.m. at a depth of 4.3 miles. The epicenter was 1.4 miles north of the city of San Fernando, according to the U.S.G.S. According to many San Fernando Valley residents, the quake felt like a sharp jolt.
The quake was initially rated as a magnitude 4.3 quake, but was downgraded about 10 minutes later by the U.S.G.S. The quake was almost immediately followed by a magnitude 3.3 aftershock. A second magnitude 3.9 aftershock hit at 6:48 a.m.
The earthquake occurred in the Sierra Madre Fault Zone, said Paul Caruso of the U.S.G.S.
Residents in The San Fernando Valley, La Crescenta, Downtown Los Angeles, the Miracle Mile area, Hollywood and Pasadena all reported feeling the first quake. According to USGS seismologist Susan Hough, more than 50,000 people reported feeling the shaking on the USGS' "Did You Feel It'' web page.
Hough added that modeling also indicates that additional smaller aftershocks can be expected in the area and there is a one-in-10 chance of a magnitude 4.2 temblor or larger occurring over the next month.
Hough said more than 50,000 people reported feeling the shaking on the USGS' ``Did You Feel It'' web page.
The Los Angeles Fire Department immediately implemented its post-earthquake protocols, with fire department vehicles and helicopters patrolling its 470 square-mile jurisdiction to look for damages or residents experiencing emergencies. The survey was completed at around 5:30 a.m., the department said.
“The LAFD has concluded the systematic survey of the City of Los Angeles by ground and air, and is pleased to report that no major infrastructure damage was noted by our personnel in the City of Los Angeles, and that there has been no loss of life or serious injury that we can directly attribute to the (magnitude) 4.2 earthquake,'' spokesman Nicholas Prange said.
The Los Angeles and Beverly Hills police departments reported normal operations, but both strongly encouraged residents to be prepared in the event of a major earthquake.
Photo: USGS