4.7 Earthquake Shakes Los Angeles: What You Need to Know

On Thursday morning, Los Angeles faced a 4.7 magnitude earthquake. This earthquake has affected many people. The quake time was 7:28 a.m. with its epicenter located 4.3 miles north of Malibu and it has a depth of about seven miles.

This earthquake was felt in Southern California. According to Dr. Lucy Jones, a seismologist, the strongest shaking happened on the westside of Los Angeles. “It’s not surprising that many people felt this earthquake,” she said. The earthquake had high shaking waves and that’s why it did not cause any major damage.

After this earthquake, there were two severe aftershocks. The first one was 2.8 magnitude, and the second was 3.4 magnitude.  Aftershocks usually happen after a big earthquake and in some cases, it can continue for days. These smaller quakes are generally less risky but still can be felt and may cause minor damages.

The Los Angeles Fire Department takes initial steps quickly to ensure safety. They also check whether there is any severe damage or not. By 8:30 a.m., this department reported no serious injuries or major damage in Los Angeles. In this way, people are satisfied with their loved ones, and there is no big damage in the town, and everything is under safety measures. 

In Malibu, the earthquake blocked the Malibu Canyon Road near Piuma Road due to the fall of some rocks and dirt. And it blocked the road temporarily for the public until they cleared the debris from the road. The road is now open, and traffic comes back to normal. But still, it’s crucial to know that the road is safe for drivers and there is no debris or rocks on the road anymore.

The quake was initially reported as a 5.1 magnitude but was later shared that it was 4.7. The earthquake magnitude changes as more data is collected and analyzed. The earthquake was not only in Los Angeles but also in other areas such as Orange County, Santa Barbara County, and even San Diego County. This earthquake has spread so far which highlights its impact on a large region.

California normally faces frequent earthquakes. This state experiences thousands of quakes every year, but mostly these are small.  Only a few are of major concern like this one, which has a magnitude of 4.0 or higher. These kinds of earthquakes are noticeable only. California has more earthquakes every year than any other state in the U.S., except Alaska.

How to Stay Safe During an Earthquake

You must know what to do during an earthquake to keep you safe. The California Department of Public Health provides guidelines on how to protect yourself. Follow the steps we have shared below to keep yourself safe:

1. Drop:  You should sit down when you feel an earthquake. In this way, you will not fall and be safe from any major damage. 
2. Cover: You should protect your head and neck with your arms. Go under any table you have around you, and crouch next to an interior wall away from windows. Position yourself on your knees and cover your body to protect your brain and neck from any major damage. 
3. Hold On: If you’re under a table or desk, hold on to it to keep it in place. Remain under the table until the shaking stops. This will help you stay safe and reduce the risk of injury.

These simple steps can keep you safe during an earthquake. If you know what to do in this situation, you can keep yourself safe.

Recent Earthquake Trends

Southern California has experienced many small earthquakes recently. For example, a 5.2 magnitude earthquake occurred south of Bakersfield. But in these quakes, there has been no big damage reported. Dr. Lucy Jones mentioned, “We’ve had many small quakes recently. None have been damaging, but it’s a reminder that larger quakes might occur in the future.”

In summary, the 4.7 magnitude earthquake in Los Angeles was not so risky but still felt widely. It caused minimal damage in some areas. You should be informed and prepared for any situation like this that can help you stay safe.

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