Small Earthquake Hits Los Angeles Neighborhood

A magnitude 2.9 earthquake struck the Los Angeles neighborhood of El Sereno at 5:07 a.m. on Monday, initially reported as a magnitude 3.2. Weak shaking was felt in Alhambra, South Pasadena, Monterey Park, and East Los Angeles. The epicenter was near Huntington Drive South and Edloft Avenue, just beneath the Puente Hills thrust fault. No damage was reported.
The Puente Hills thrust fault, discovered in 1999, poses a significant risk, capable of generating catastrophic earthquakes. A hypothetical magnitude 7.5 quake on this fault could result in 3,000 to 18,000 fatalities. The 1987 magnitude 5.9 Whittier Narrows earthquake, a rupture of this fault, caused eight deaths and extensive damage in nearby areas.
Residents are encouraged to report their experiences to the USGS and prepare for future quakes by subscribing to preparedness newsletters and assembling earthquake kits.