An earthquake with a magnitude of 2.9 hit the neighborhood of El Sereno in Los Angeles on Monday morning. The shaking was felt across the Eastside and San Gabriel Valley. The quake, which occurred at 5:07 a.m., was initially reported as a 3.2 magnitude. Areas such as East Los Angeles, Alhambra, Monterey Park, and South Pasadena may have experienced weak shaking, as reported by the U.S. Geological Survey. Fortunately, there were no immediate reports of any damage.
The epicenter of the earthquake was located just southeast of the intersection of Huntington Drive South and Edloft Avenue. Interestingly, this earthquake was the third to hit the area in a month. A magnitude 3.4 earthquake occurred on June 2, and a magnitude 2.8 quake struck on June 4, both in the same region of El Sereno. These earthquakes took place beneath the Puente Hills thrust fault, a fault that has the potential to cause significant damage.
The Puente Hills thrust fault, which was only discovered in 1999, runs under heavily populated areas of Los Angeles and Orange counties. It poses a significant risk, as a hypothetical magnitude 7.5 quake on this fault could result in a high number of casualties, according to experts. The 1987 Whittier Narrows earthquake, caused by a rupture of a portion of this fault, resulted in eight deaths and extensive damage to buildings and infrastructure.
The Puente Hills thrust fault extends through various communities in the region, including Pasadena, downtown Los Angeles, East LA, and parts of the San Gabriel Valley and northern Orange County. On average, the greater Los Angeles area experiences about five earthquakes with magnitudes between 3.0 and 4.0 each year, based on recent data.
It is important for residents to be prepared for earthquakes and other natural disasters. The Los Angeles Times offers an Unshaken newsletter that provides valuable information on emergency preparedness. This resource breaks down the steps needed to create an earthquake kit, recommends essential apps, and shares important advice from experts like Lucy Jones.
If you felt the earthquake or have any information to report, you can reach out to the USGS. Stay informed and stay safe in the event of future seismic activities. Remember, being prepared can make a significant difference when the next big earthquake strikes.