4.5 earthquake rattles Southern California

An earthquake shook Southern California late Friday.

The quake struck just after 11:30 p.m. and was initially rated as a magnitude-4.6 temblor, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. It was centered about 1.8 miles west southwest of El Monte.

No immediate reports or damage or injuries were logged, law enforcement agencies said.

Now that it’s properly morning…
Last night’s M4.5 appears to be another of the deep, “high stress drop” quakes that we sometimes see in the Los Angeles area. The 2008 M5.5 Chino Hills quake was another. These quakes typically have relatively strong shaking but few aftershocks.

— USGS Earthquakes (@USGS_Quakes) September 19, 2020

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Moderate to light shaking was felt from Goleta to Indio and as far north as Palmdale and as far south as San Diego, according to the USGS. Residents reported feeling a strong jolt in Orange County, the San Fernando Valley and Riverside.

Seismologist Dr. Lucy Jones said in a tweet that is the quake was located near the epicenter of the Oct. 1, 1987 Whittier Narrows quake, which was magnitude 5.9.

“It was a pretty good jolt here in Pasadena,” she tweeted.

Although the quake was in the same location as the 1987 quake, Jones added that it will not be not considered an aftershock because they “died off completely in less than 2 years.”

A pair of aftershocks, magnitudes 2.1 and 1.6, struck within 10 minutes of the quake, Jones said.

She said there is only about a 5% chance of a stronger quake in the immediate future.

As the quake struck, the Los Angeles Fire Department immediately went into earthquake mode, with all 106 fire stations checking their areas for damage, Chief Ralph M. Terrazas tweeted.

No reports of serious injury or significant infrastructure damage were logged immediately, according to Brian Humphrey of the Los Angeles Fire Department.

Still getting everything processed, but it was a pretty good jolt here in Pasadena

— Dr. Lucy Jones (@DrLucyJones) September 19, 2020

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“What a jolt! We felt it too,” tweeted the San Gabriel Police Department, located very close to the epicenter. “No damage or injuries reported so far. No need to call 9-1-1 unless you have an emergency.”

Several agencies urged residents to be ready for aftershocks — and to make sure to have a disaster preparedness kit at the ready.

There were no immediate reports of damage at Los Angeles International Airport, but crews were thoroughly checking the airfield and terminal, according to Los Angeles World Airports.

“The City of Long Beach is monitoring the earthquake and is conducting a critical facilities check to ensure structure safety across the city,” Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia tweeted. “Please continue to stay safe and always be prepared.”

The City of Long Beach is monitoring the earthquake and is conducting a critical facilities check to ensure structure safety across the city. Please continue to stay safe and always be prepared.

— Mayor Robert Garcia (@LongBeachMayor) September 19, 2020

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Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti posted a similar message.

City News Service contributed to this report.

Source: Orange County Register