SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA — A 5.2 magnitude earthquake shook Southern California on Monday morning, prompting emergency alerts on millions of smartphones urging residents to duck and cover.
The tremor, centered just south of the Elsinore fault zone near the town of Julian in San Diego County, struck at 10:08 a.m., according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
With a depth of approximately 8.3 miles, the quake was felt in surrounding areas, including Orange and Riverside counties, and even as far as Los Angeles.
In the moments following the earthquake, alerts were dispatched to mobile phones across the region, warning residents to “drop, cover, hold on!”
John Vavrina, a resident of Lake Forest, shared his experience: “I live in Lake Forest and got the alert as the house was shaking. I was actually impressed to get the alert during the quake.”
However, responses from the community revealed mixed experiences regarding the notifications.
“I did not get an alert. Not sure why. My husband got one and we live in the same house,” reported Cary Levy Wagner.
Some Patch editors residing throughout Southern California also chimed in with their experiences.
Statewide Editor Kat Schuster felt the quake while dining in a Palm Desert restaurant, where a cacophony of phone alarms went off around her.
Los Angeles Editor Paige Austin experienced mild shaking in Big Bear and also received the alert promptly.
In contrast, San Diego Editor Kristina Houck described her home in East County as having strong shaking, receiving the alert only after the tremors had subsided.
According to the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, the emergency alerts reached millions of Californians swiftly.
Approximately 700,000 phones in the affected areas received notifications through the MyShake app, while millions more got alerts via wireless emergency alerts and Google alerts.
“Warning Californians before earthquakes strike can save lives,” emphasized Cal OES Director Nancy Ward.
“The MyShake app is doing what it is designed to do, and we encourage all Californians to download it today.”
Interestingly, more than 27,000 individuals downloaded the MyShake app immediately after the earthquake.
Launched in 2019 by Gov. Gavin Newsom, the app is the first state-sponsored earthquake early warning system in the nation.
We asked readers on Facebook whether they received alerts following the quake, and many contributed their experiences:
“We received the alert. However, we were on the freeway. My daughter in LA though received it also and said she felt the quake a few seconds later.”
“I’m in Yucaipa and I got the alert on the MyShake app about 5 seconds before feeling the quake.”
“I received the alert on my Apple Watch about 10 seconds before the quake.”
“Received the Alert and it was before the quake.”
“I felt/heard it first sitting in my upstairs office area. Got the alert while moving to door frame.”
“I got the alert a few seconds after the earthquake.”
“I got it before the earthquake and wondered if it was real.”
“I got the alert and by the time I grabbed my phone which was right beside me, the shaking started. I am in Santee.”
“I got it two seconds before. Just enough time to be sure I was not near glass and could cover my face.”
“Got it during the quake. My first thought was, ‘Thank you, Captain Obvious.’”
“I got the alert while on my walk at Trilogy. I looked around, waiting to see what was going to happen. I never felt it, but folks here in their homes said they felt it. I’m very grateful for the Alert.”
“I received the alert right before the quake. I was at Rancho Springs Hospital.”
Numerous others throughout Southern California applauded the notification system on social media platform X, expressing their appreciation:
“Excellent work on the fast alert. Impressive timing.”
“That was awesome! GREAT EARLY WARNING!!! I got the alert on my phone near downtown San Diego several seconds before the primary wave hit.”
“We felt it pretty good in San Juan Capistrano. The alert was going off as the earthquake was happening.”
Originally, the ShakeAlert notice sent to cell phones across much of Southern California estimated the quake’s magnitude at 6.0, but the USGS later adjusted it to 5.1 and then again to 5.2.
In the wake of the quake, at least six smaller aftershocks with magnitudes less than 3.0 were detected within ten minutes, according to the USGS.
Another quake registering 3.5 occurred near Borrego Springs shortly thereafter.
A 3.9 magnitude quake was recorded at 11:23 a.m. near Julian.
“San Diego experienced a strong earthquake centered near Julian,” remarked San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria on social media.
“There’s no known visible or major damage to the city so far and I’m in communication with local, state, and federal officials.”
The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services is currently collaborating with local agencies to assess any potential damage or implications from the quake.
The governor’s office announced that Gov. Gavin Newsom has been briefed on the situation regarding the temblor.
“The state is coordinating with local authorities to assess any damage and if emergency response is needed,” the office stated.
Lucy Jones, a seismologist and Southern California earthquake expert, noted that the quake seemed to be felt over a very large area, stretching into Los Angeles.
Given the quake’s size and depth, she suggested that it was unlikely to cause serious damage to typical California buildings, although items may have been knocked off shelves.
“There shouldn’t be structural damage,” she stated.
“If there is, it’s in a pretty bad building.”
Caltrans warned drivers to be cautious after boulders fell onto state Route 76, east of East Grade Road, near Lake Henshaw.
“Caltrans crews are out assessing the highway infrastructure for any damage from this morning’s earthquake,” the agency informed the public on social media.
The Southern California Earthquake Data Center reports that the main trace of the Elsinore Fault has experienced only one notable event exceeding a magnitude of 5.2 — a 6.0 earthquake recorded in 1910 near Temescal Valley.
That tremor resulted in minimal damage and left no visible surface rupture.
However, the fault’s southeastern extension, known as the Laguna Salada Fault, ruptured in a 7.0 magnitude event in 1892.
image source from：https://patch.com/california/san-diego/ca-quake-alert-system-lauded-after-warning-millions-well-done
