4.6 Magnitude Earthquake Hits SoCal, Several Smaller Quakes Follow

MALIBU, CA— A magnitude 4.6 earthquake — followed by a series of many other smaller quakes, all epicentered near Malibu — rattled Southern California Friday afternoon, according to the United States Geological Survey.

After the 4.6 magnitude quake hit at 1:47 p.m., there were nine aftershocks recorded by 2:05 p.m. The largest was 3.0 and the smallest 1.6, according to the Southern California Seismic Network.

"More aftershocks may be expected in the next few days, the largest expected is approximately 1 magnitude unit smaller than the mainshock," the Seismic Network wrote.

The USGS reported the first quake's epicenter was about 7.4 miles northwest of Malibu near the Los Angeles/Ventura county line in the Santa Monica Mountains and occurred at a depth of about eight miles. The other quakes had epicenters all within that vicinity.

There is no tsunami danger from the quakes, according to the National Tsunami Warning Center

The first long, rolling quake was felt across Los Angeles, Orange and Ventura counties with shaking reported in San Diego and the Inland Empire.

Officials warned that there could be more to come in the earthquake series.

"Felt Widely in Los Angeles. Prepare NOW For Aftershocks," the Los Angeles Fire Department warned. "If Inside When Shaking Starts: DROP, COVER, HOLD ON! Protect your head and neck while taking cover under sturdy furniture or near a sturdy interior wall, away from windows and doorways until shaking stops."

The LA County Sheriff's Lost Hills/Malibu Station said there were no immediate reports of damage or injuries in the station's jurisdiction, which covers northwestern LA County.

The LA Fire Department conducted a survey of the entire city — checking freeway overpasses, large places of assemblage, apartment buildings, dams and power-lines — and found no damage.

Southland earthquake expert Lucy Jones said the quake was not tied to the recent torrential rains that soaked the area, noting that it occurred at a depth of more than 8 miles. She also said the temblor was not related in any way to a strong quake that occurred earlier in the day in Hawaii.

Jones said residents should anticipate aftershocks occurring throughout the day. She also noted that as with any quake, there is always a roughly 5 percent chance that a temblor could be a foreshock of a larger quake, but the chances decrease as time goes on.

She said a 4.6 earthquake wouldn't necessarily cause any major damage, calling it a "run of the mill" shaker for "earthquake country."

Since record-keeping began in 1932, there have been five magnitude 4 or greater earthquakes within about six miles of Friday's quake. The largest was a magnitude 5.3 on Feb. 21, 1973, according to the Southern California Seismic Network.

Friday's quake came 52 years to the day of the 1971 Sylmar earthquake, a 6.6 temblor that led to 64 deaths and significant significant damage across LA.

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City News Service contributed to this report.