4.4 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Los Angeles Area

A 4.4-magnitude earthquake struck near Highland Park, Los Angeles, on Monday at approximately 12:20 p.m., as reported by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The tremor was felt across L.A. County, including areas such as Pasadena and Studio City. Initially recorded as a 4.6-magnitude event, the USGS later revised the magnitude. This incident follows a similar quake in June, which had its epicenter in South Pasadena and was felt across a wide area. Seismologists from the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) confirmed they experienced shaking at their Pasadena campus. The densely populated nature of the area likely contributed to the numerous reports of the earthquake. In the two days following the quake, over 400 tremors were detected within a 10-mile radius of the epicenter, which USC seismologist John Vidale classified as aftershocks, given the region's typically low seismic activity. Experts noted that the earthquake occurred along a complex network of faults, which has a history of seismic activity, including the 1987 Whittier Narrows quake. While the exact fault involved remains uncertain due to the intricate nature of the geological structures, the area is known for its varied fault lines. Despite the significant number of aftershocks recorded, the USGS did not report any within the first hour following the initial quake. The recent seismic activity in Southern California, including a separate quake in the Central Valley, has raised concerns about the potential for further earthquakes in the region.