USGS says 4.4 magnitude earthquake hits Los Angeles area

The U.S. Geological Survey said a 4.4-magnitude earthquake struck the Los Angeles area shortly after noon Monday.

The earthquake was felt strongly across the Los Angeles area, people said. A medical building shook and residents said glasses and plates rattled in many locations. The Los Angeles Fire Department said it had not received any initial reports of damage or injuries as it checked infrastructure throughout the city.

The National Weather Service said no tsunami was expected.

The tremor was felt from the greater Los Angeles area south to San Diego and east to the desert region of Palm Springs, according to the U.S. Geological Survey’s community reports page. A few reports came from the southern San Joaquin Valley, about 100 miles northwest of Los Angeles.

“I lived through the Northridge earthquake (magnitude 6.7 in 1994), and today’s shaking reminded me of the life-saving rules for earthquakes: Drop, Cover, Hold On. It’s also a reminder to all of us that we live in an earthquake-prone area and we need to be prepared,” said Los Angeles County Supervisor Katherine Barger.

The quake came less than a week after a 5.2 magnitude earthquake rocked Southern California, which was also felt in Los Angeles. That quake caused no casualties or significant damage.

The epicenter of Monday’s earthquake was near Highland Park, northeast of the city of Los Angeles, at a depth of about 7.5 miles (12.1 kilometers) underground.

The quake struck on the first day of school for the Los Angeles Unified School District. At least one high school, John Marshall High School in Los Feliz, notified parents that it had evacuated the building to inspect for damage, but no damage was immediately found.