5.4 Magnitude Earthquake Shakes Southern California, No Major Damage Reported

5.4 Magnitude Earthquake Shakes Southern California, No Major Damage Reported...

A 5.4 magnitude earthquake struck near Barstow, California early Thursday morning, rattling residents across Southern California. The quake occurred at 4:12 a.m. local time at a depth of about 5 miles, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

The tremor was felt from Los Angeles to San Diego, waking thousands of residents. Social media flooded with reports of shaking lasting 10-15 seconds. "It was strong enough to knock some pictures off my walls," said Riverside resident Mark Thompson in a tweet that gained traction.

No significant damage or injuries have been reported as of 8 a.m. Pacific Time. California Office of Emergency Services confirmed they're monitoring the situation but haven't activated emergency protocols. The quake occurred along the Lenwood Fault, a lesser-known fault line east of the more famous San Andreas.

This marks the strongest quake in the region since a 5.1 magnitude event near Carson in 2021. Seismologists note such quakes serve as important reminders for preparedness in earthquake-prone California. The state averages about 100 quakes between magnitude 3.0-4.0 annually.

Local school districts reported normal operations, though some conducted safety checks. Metro trains briefly slowed as a precaution. The quake trended nationally as millions of Californians shared their experiences online. Emergency officials recommend residents review earthquake safety plans and secure heavy furniture.

Minor aftershocks are possible in coming days, though experts say the risk of a larger follow-up quake is low. The last major damaging earthquake in California was the 7.1 magnitude Ridgecrest quake in 2019. Today's event comes during Earthquake Preparedness Month in California.