5.2 Magnitude Earthquake Near San Diego Shakes Parts of Los Angeles and Orange Counties
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5.2 Earthquake Near Julian Shakes Parts of Southern California
JULIAN, Calif. (KABC) – A 5.2 magnitude earthquake struck near the mountain town of Julian, east of San Diego, on Monday morning, rattling parts of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties. The U.S. Geological Survey reported several aftershocks in the 2.0 to 3.0 range.
Officials warned drivers to watch for rockslides on roadways, especially along State Route 76 northwest of Julian. Caltrans crews are inspecting roads for damage.
At the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, African elephants were seen forming an “alert circle” to protect their young. The park said the herd—Ndlula, Umngani, Khosi, Zuli, and Mkhaya—calmed down after a few minutes.
North County Transit District trains were briefly delayed for track inspections, and Metrolink closed lines between Oceanside and San Clemente as a precaution. In Los Angeles, the fire department activated “earthquake mode” to assess the city. No significant damage or injuries were reported.
Schoolchildren in San Diego County were evacuated as a safety measure. “There was a lot of shaking and rattling around,” said Capt. Thomas Shoots of Cal Fire. “But thankfully everything seems to be back to normal.”
The quake was centered 2.5 miles south of Julian, a town known for its apple pies. Residents as far as the San Fernando Valley, Palm Springs, and Chula Vista reported feeling the shaking. One Chula Vista woman described it as feeling “like an explosion.”
Seismologist Dr. Lucy Jones said the quake is likely linked to the Elsinore fault, one of Southern California’s quieter fault lines. She noted there’s about a 5% chance the quake is a precursor to something larger. A 3.3 foreshock was recorded Sunday.
There is no tsunami threat, Jones confirmed, since the quake occurred on land.
Gov. Gavin Newsom has been briefed, and state officials are coordinating with local agencies to assess any potential damage.
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