The first day of the new year, a 4.1-magnitude Earthquake
Date: January 1, 2024
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA – On the first day of the new year, Southern California was gently stirred by a 4.1 magnitude earthquake that occurred off the coast, near Rancho Palos Verdes. The event reported by the U.S Geological Survey, took place at 8:27 a.m., with immediate no reports of injuries or damages.
The quake, initially at 4.3 magnitude later on degraded to 4.1, with a depth of over 7 miles. Social media quickly became a platform for residents to share their experiences. Melinda Murphy from Playa del Rey described a “bit of rattling and a tiny bit of shaking,” while Carol Ivanusic, residing in the hi-desert near Victorville, mentioned feeling her trailer sway slightly.
“I received an alert on my phone; 2 seconds later, I felt that earthquake,” shared Boxhito Ruiz.
Seismologist Dr. Lucy Jones, a familiar figure in Southern California, took to social media to reassure the public. In her post, she emphasized that the quake was “way too small to even talk about tsunamis,” addressing any concerns related to the recent earthquake in Japan.
The impact of the earthquake reached beyond Rancho Palos Verdes, with residents reporting feeling the shaking in areas as far away as Santa Clarita, San Bernardino, Temecula, Mission Viejo, and Catalina Island.
In the midst of the seismic activity, Jones compared the Southern California quake to the 7.5 magnitude earthquake that struck Japan, highlighting its insignificance in terms of magnitude.
As the region copes with this natural event. It serves as a reminder of the unpredictability of the earth beneath our feet. The quake was part of a series of recent seismic activities in Southern California.
