A powerful 5.2-magnitude earthquake struck California near San Diego, causing widespread panic but no major damage or casualties reported so far.
A 5.2-magnitude ‘earthquake’ struck California near San Diego on Monday afternoon, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS). The quake occurred at 10:08 local time (18:00 GMT) with its epicentre in Julian, a resort town located in the Cuyamaca Mountains about an hour north-east of San Diego.
California is located on the San Andreas Fault, a major transform fault that runs for over 1,200 km.
The state experiences around 10,000 earthquakes per year, but most are small and do not cause significant damage.
According to the USGS, there is a 7% chance of a magnitude 8 or greater earthquake occurring in California within the next 30 years.
Earthquakes can be triggered by human activities such as injection of fluids into the ground for oil and gas production, such as 'injection of fluids'.
Immediate Response and Assessment
Around two hours after the earthquake, officials reported that there had been no reports of structural damage or injuries. The City of San Diego’s spokeswoman, Perette Godwin, stated that emergency services were on high alert but did not yet have any confirmed reports of major damage or casualties. The San Diego sheriff’s office also noted that while it was a developing situation, they had not received any reports of injuries or significant damage.
California Governor Gavin Newsom Briefed
California Governor Gavin Newsom‘s office issued a statement shortly after the quake, confirming that he had been briefed on the situation. Meanwhile, the USGS continued to report smaller aftershocks in the region, while the National Weather Service assured that a tsunami was not expected.
Gavin Christopher Newsom is an American politician and the current governor of California.
Born on October 10, 1967, in San Francisco, California, he graduated from Santa Clara University with a Bachelor's degree in History.
Newsom served as the 49th Lieutenant Governor of California from 2011 to 2019.
He was elected as the 40th Governor of California in 2018 and re-elected in 2022.
As governor, he has focused on issues like healthcare, education, and climate change.
Resident Experiences the Earthquake
For Kevin Manaugh, who received an emergency alert before the earthquake struck, the experience was intense. He took shelter under a door frame as instructed by the alert and described the quake as ‘a bit shocking’ that lasted around three seconds. The lead time of about 15 seconds proved sufficient for him to take action and seek safety.
Preparedness and Future Precautions
While his house suffered no damage, Manaugh acknowledged the importance of being prepared in case another earthquake struck. He mentioned that the recent wildfires in Los Angeles had prompted him to consider having an evacuation bag ready.
