4.7 quake near LAX is felt across wide area
A 5.0 earthquake struck southeast of Los Angeles International Airport this evening, causing significant shaking across Southern California. [Update: Quake was downgraded to 4.7.]
Updated at 9:50 p.m.: In Hawthorne, firefighters were called to Chadron Avenue, near Crenshaw Boulevard, where a light pole was damaged during the earthquake. One man also suffered a heart attack, but it was unclear whether that was connected. “Luckily, nothing major so far,” said Hawthorne Police Lt. Michael Ishii.
The earthquake was “a bit deep,” said U.S. Geological Survey seismologist Susan Hough – originating 8.4 miles below the surface. “That tends to make it less sharp – less of a jerky, abrupt motion,” Hough said. As a result, most of the region felt the quake largely as a rolling motion, though some closer to the center felt more of a jolt.
Lucy Jones, seismologist at the U.S. Geological Survey, said the earthquake appears to be consistent with a rupture on the Newport-Inglewood fault. (She said the quake was too small to break the surface, so they can't definitively identify faults.) Jones said this fault isn't typically thought to be capable of producing a major quake like the San Andreas fault. But it was responsible for the 1933 Long Beach earthquake, which measured about 6.3 in magnitude. The Long Beach quake was about as big as seismologists expect from this fault, she said.
"There have been numerous magnitude 3s on it over the years, a cluster of them in the 1980s," she said. "In general, it's an active area."
The quake was initially logged as a magnitude 5 by automatic sensors, but as more data came in, seismologists downgraded it to a magnitude 4.7. It also had an aftershock with a magnitude 3.1 about six minutes later. So far, Jones said, 12,000 people have reported feeling the shaking, including some people in San Diego. She was not surprised at the number of people reporting because the quake shook a pretty densely populated area.
Nothing about the quake or its aftershocks looked unusual, she said. "It’s a real garden variety California earthquake so far."
What’s notable about it is location with respect to people.
She said the most similar earthquake to this one was a temblor that shook the Inglewood area in 1920, and that one was classified as a "minor damaging shock."
Photo: Employees of a Starbucks at Hawthorne and Artesia Boulevards clean up broken glass that shattered on the floor and reportedly injured one person who was taken to a nearby hospital. (Jay Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)



Scared the crap out of me here in Marina del Rey. Stuff fell off the shelves. Went on for much longer than the usual.
Posted by: Thomas | May 17, 2009 at 09:01 PM
Felt earthqquake at 2047 pm in Chula Vista, CA.
Posted by: Jim Kuhn | May 17, 2009 at 09:01 PM
in cypress there are reported injuries
Posted by: sara | May 17, 2009 at 09:02 PM
Felt the 5.0 down here in San Diego County. Good tumbler, haven't felt a good one like that in years. :)
Posted by: Sully B | May 17, 2009 at 09:02 PM
Felt a double pulse in Playa Del Rey!
Posted by: Sky | May 17, 2009 at 09:03 PM
i live in costa mesa, shook us good here.
my kid lives near oceanside (bonsall)and he had things fall of the shelves
Posted by: will | May 17, 2009 at 09:03 PM
rocking in venice tonight.
Posted by: js.s | May 17, 2009 at 09:03 PM
I felt this one real good. I ran to the other room and grabbed my beer bottle collection. It's all good.
Posted by: Feliz | May 17, 2009 at 09:04 PM
It was a little bit scary... I could hear the walls of the house house creaking and shaking. Grabbed my newborn son and ran outside.
Posted by: Steve Marks | May 17, 2009 at 09:04 PM
woah my television set fell :(
Posted by: jeffC | May 17, 2009 at 09:05 PM
Felt it here in Van Nuys. Then I felt the 2nd one just a little bit later. Hard sharp jolt with swaying of the apt bldg and the 2nd one just caused swaying.
Posted by: Sonni | May 17, 2009 at 09:05 PM
We felt it in san diego. felt like a lot of side to side movement.
Posted by: lou kaplan | May 17, 2009 at 09:05 PM
i just moved here from new york. my first quake...i'm freaking out. how do you Californian's do it?!
Posted by: tpn1997 | May 17, 2009 at 09:05 PM
Felt it here in San Gabriel, CA, but no damage and nothing fell.
Posted by: Jason | May 17, 2009 at 09:05 PM
the bathroom tub did a slight wave in Burbank
Posted by: Kay | May 17, 2009 at 09:05 PM
Felt it here in Fountain Valley, pretty good shake.
Posted by: Alfie | May 17, 2009 at 09:05 PM
Felt it here in Carson, and it was pretty strong but very short. Started off small and grew.
Posted by: Jane | May 17, 2009 at 09:05 PM
Felt the earthquake in Glassell Park...heard it first...a low rumble gradually building then slight earth movement, light house trembling and a little nerve rrrrattling.
Posted by: RMRamos | May 17, 2009 at 09:06 PM
I felt it in Venice but it didn't seem as big as a 5.0 to me. A lot of rumbling. My cat didn't even wake up. So much for animal intuition!
Posted by: otherlisa | May 17, 2009 at 09:06 PM
Steve: you should never run outside during an earthquake. Now that you have a newborn you really should research what to do during a quake.
Posted by: Feliz | May 17, 2009 at 09:06 PM
downtown San Diego on 12th floor shook for about 7 seconds.
Posted by: slytle | May 17, 2009 at 09:06 PM
It was actually east of LAX and north of Hawthorne Airport. The first aftershock was 2.5, also east of LAX but west of the first one, and the second aftershock was 3.1 on Douglas, just north of El Segundo Blvd. at LAFB, but south of LAX.
And we felt the first one over in Riverside.
Posted by: Tannim | May 17, 2009 at 09:06 PM
Here in East Hollywood I barely felt a thing. Hardly even noticed it.
Posted by: Paul | May 17, 2009 at 09:06 PM
Here in Westwood we had a solid 5 seconds of shaking.
Posted by: John | May 17, 2009 at 09:06 PM
Felt both the quake and the aftershock in Santa Monica. No damage, just a little shaking. It was kind of fun, actually.
Posted by: Emily | May 17, 2009 at 09:06 PM
Shaking in Westwood, but nothing fell.
Posted by: Lisa | May 17, 2009 at 09:06 PM
here in hawthorne, the first jolt felt like a train hit the house
Posted by: Joe | May 17, 2009 at 09:06 PM
Felt the earthquake in Valley Village, CA
Posted by: ValleyVillageResident | May 17, 2009 at 09:07 PM
Felt it in Northridge/Porter Ranch, just north of the CSU Northridge campus.
Posted by: Kathy Holland | May 17, 2009 at 09:07 PM
That was pretty harsh here in Culver City (nr. Robertson). Whole room shaking and building creaking. That was the strongest I've felt for a while.
Posted by: Brian Leake | May 17, 2009 at 09:07 PM
Felt it over here in Calabasas...nothing fell off of shelves but heard things vibrating.
Posted by: pamela | May 17, 2009 at 09:07 PM
It was very strong here in Playa Del Rey. There was a big jolt and then about 15 seconds of solid shaking. An aftershock hit about 10 minutes later.
Posted by: Lynda Karr | May 17, 2009 at 09:07 PM
in palm springs on vacation and felt one of them.
Posted by: brian | May 17, 2009 at 09:07 PM
Felt it good in Cerritos (90703) but no damage at all.
Posted by: kh | May 17, 2009 at 09:07 PM
Felt it shake and it went on longer than normal. Was about to drop, cover and hold when the shaking stopped. No damage.
Posted by: James | May 17, 2009 at 09:07 PM
Short, not too bad in Irvine.
One shoebox on the third floor stacked on the top of other boxes moved about 2 inches, that was it.
Posted by: Anonymous | May 17, 2009 at 09:07 PM
Felt it in Eagle Rock/Glassell Park - but just barely.
Posted by: Drew | May 17, 2009 at 09:07 PM
I don't know where the other people are in San Diego but up in North San Diego county we did not feel a thing. I hope everyone is doing well in Los Angeles County though!
Posted by: K | May 17, 2009 at 09:07 PM
Hmm, definitely felt it here in Central LA. Dropped a couple of books off my shelf, but nothing too serious.
Posted by: Mochi | May 17, 2009 at 09:07 PM
That one was scary! Had to go in the other room to make sure my brother and niece were okay. Writing from Baldwin Hills (near Culver City)
Posted by: Jenna | May 17, 2009 at 09:07 PM
First earthquake... definitely scared me...here outside of Culver City.
Posted by: Amy | May 17, 2009 at 09:07 PM
Nice shake in La Jolla
Posted by: Nice shake in La JollaCJ | May 17, 2009 at 09:07 PM
Was sleep. My husband awoke me. Defintely felt it. First earthquake I have ever experienced. Kinda of scary.
Posted by: Alexis Coleman | May 17, 2009 at 09:07 PM
Quite a shaker in San Juan Capistrano. Labrador started barking her head off before shaking started.
Posted by: Judi | May 17, 2009 at 09:07 PM
felt this one here in La Jolla, San Diego
Posted by: Huy | May 17, 2009 at 09:07 PM
Felt it bad in Playa del Rey-- WHILE I WAS IN THE SHOWER. That was incredibly freaky. Plus, as an added treat, I still had shampoo in my hair and had to finish through the aftershock. Fortunately, nothing fell off my shelves.
Posted by: Vic Arpeggio | May 17, 2009 at 09:08 PM
Felt it even here in Riverside! Surprisingly strong!
Posted by: MEF | May 17, 2009 at 09:08 PM
i felt it in malibu, little jolts just for a few seconds
Posted by: Jenni | May 17, 2009 at 09:08 PM
Pasadena was shaking
Posted by: Mike | May 17, 2009 at 09:08 PM
Marina del Rey, didn't feel much at all. I was in an elevator and thought it was shaking a little, but barely noticeable. When my friend called and said there was a quake I was surprised.
Posted by: Foxy L.A. Lady | May 17, 2009 at 09:08 PM
I felt it in the Hills on Beachwood Drive in Hollywoodland.
Shook my windows for a good 10-15 seconds. I just moved here from the East Coast and not liking that too much! I'm from Boston so to me it felt like a subway passing underneath...
Posted by: AB | May 17, 2009 at 09:08 PM
felt some shaking and a nice jolt in brentwood, north of wilshire.
Posted by: jsk | May 17, 2009 at 09:08 PM
Yup, felt it strong here in San Diego. Lasted about 7 seconds. A good roller.
Posted by: Jose in SD | May 17, 2009 at 09:08 PM
Felt it here in Carlsbad. Nothing fell or moved. Hope all is well up North.
Posted by: J dillon | May 17, 2009 at 09:08 PM
Earthquake rolled Dana Point - no Tsunamis' yet ;-)
Posted by: Bob | May 17, 2009 at 09:08 PM
I was in the bathroom and felt the quake in Garden Grove
Posted by: Lahhal | May 17, 2009 at 09:08 PM
Huntington Beach - felt it BIG!
Posted by: Trixie | May 17, 2009 at 09:08 PM
Moved here from Ohio in January...that was my first quake. Definitely a new experience. Have a friend visiting from Ohio this weekend and he's freakin' out.
Posted by: David | May 17, 2009 at 09:08 PM
Felt in San Diego, Mission Valley Area.
Posted by: john grimes | May 17, 2009 at 09:08 PM
Rocked apt in Mar Vista for a few seconds, no damage. My stomach is still jumpy!
Posted by: Mitchell | May 17, 2009 at 09:08 PM
Wasnt as bad as the 1994 quake.
Posted by: southbay resident | May 17, 2009 at 09:08 PM
Pretty solid rocking here in Redondo Beach. First a soft sway then a hard bang. House made some pretty loud noises, a few glasses shook around the shelves, haven't found anything broken though.
Posted by: Jonathan | May 17, 2009 at 09:08 PM
Felt it in Temecula @ 8:41 PM
Posted by: Paul | May 17, 2009 at 09:08 PM
my house in mar vista shook for a good 10 seconds. no damage, but certainly got my adrenalin flowing.
Posted by: Pete Viles | May 17, 2009 at 09:08 PM
Damn, with all the journalists being cut I guess no one is editing anymore. How about editing this piece guys? I know there's probably only 5 reporters now, but come on.
Posted by: Dave | May 17, 2009 at 09:08 PM
I felt the quake in West L.A. It didn't feel particularly intense. It did go on longer than the other quakes I've experienced. I didn't feel the aftershock.
Posted by: Rob | May 17, 2009 at 09:08 PM
We felt it for about 5 seconds in Studio City, then again for about 2 seconds. This was my first quake, and surprisingly it didn't scare me.
Posted by: Leslie G. | May 17, 2009 at 09:08 PM
Really shook down here in Del Mar. Hard to believe it was just a 5.0.
Posted by: Sue | May 17, 2009 at 09:09 PM
Felt like a truck hit our building. We are only a few miles from the epicenter in Hermosa Beach. It was short but strong.
Posted by: Meegs | May 17, 2009 at 09:09 PM
Apartment was shaken for couple seconds in Palms,it was scary.
Posted by: Derick | May 17, 2009 at 09:09 PM
We felt it here in Westwood Village at UCLA.
Will someone please correct the poorly written news update? The people in the ivory tower here would greatly appreciate it. Thanks.
-UCLA
Posted by: westwood | May 17, 2009 at 09:09 PM
I felt the quake all the way down here in central San Diego near the Zoo! I immediately went to usgs.gov and saw the big red square as a 5.0. I have yet to see anything on TV, even CNN. I'm wondering why no coverage yet?
Posted by: Stan | May 17, 2009 at 09:09 PM
DOWNEY - Felt some slight, low rumbling... like an approaching train (I live near railroad tracks) and then a loud shake.
Posted by: Silvestre | May 17, 2009 at 09:09 PM
I got a hamstring cramp running to the door jamb. It was painful.
Posted by: C Kent | May 17, 2009 at 09:09 PM
Felt VERY STRONG here in Santa Monica, rolled what felt like a long time.
Posted by: Judi | May 17, 2009 at 09:09 PM
shook pretty good for about 5 seconds down here in San Clemente
Posted by: js | May 17, 2009 at 09:10 PM
it shook us real good. we were enjoying a good movie then blahhhhh... waves!!!!!!!! RUNNNNN!!! thank god us in norwalk we're ok!
Posted by: josue | May 17, 2009 at 09:10 PM
Felt it in Irvine for about 10 seconds. Pretty intense shaking and had my heart racing!!!!!!!
Posted by: David | May 17, 2009 at 09:10 PM
I felt it pretty strong and I live in Oceanside (North San Diego County)
Posted by: Frances Cortez | May 17, 2009 at 09:10 PM
Cerritos - felt whole house shake glad had my cabinets and television sets strap down to the wall. My swimming pool water was moving it too.
Posted by: Paul | May 17, 2009 at 09:10 PM
We felt the very strong shaking, which was quite frightening to us since we are new residents. We've been living in Northridge for 6 months and have felt minor tremors, but this one was way different. I was actually online and my montior was shaking and I felt a rumbling under my chair. Just happy it is over.
Posted by: Renee and Doug | May 17, 2009 at 09:10 PM
long shaking, rocking motion in Sherman Oaks; nothing fell
Posted by: a campain | May 17, 2009 at 09:10 PM
Felt it in San Diego. A mild rolling for a few seconds.
Posted by: Dennis | May 17, 2009 at 09:10 PM
Felt it in Chula Vista, CA (South East San Diego)
Posted by: Ben | May 17, 2009 at 09:10 PM
Felt it just outside of downtown San Diego
Posted by: Mike Jones | May 17, 2009 at 09:10 PM
Small shake in Woodland Hills. Nothing broken.
Posted by: Mark | May 17, 2009 at 09:10 PM
Tremblin in South Park area of San Diego for sure
Posted by: WD | May 17, 2009 at 09:10 PM
Felt it here in Downey for about 2-5 seconds it seemed. Everyone in my neighborhood seemed fine.
Posted by: Enrique S | May 17, 2009 at 09:11 PM
We definitely felt it in the Miracle Mile area-- pretty strong. No damage at all. It scared us, but our baby, asleep in his crib, didn't even wake up.
Posted by: Erin | May 17, 2009 at 09:11 PM
My aunt is visiting from Michigan and she wants to go home! Ha My dog peed on the dining room floor. I took a drink of my Bud Light Lime! :) All is good in Ladera Ranch....chill out Auntie...have another beer.
Posted by: Kelly Cotter | May 17, 2009 at 09:11 PM
felt it in San Diego for a moment. Hope everyone is ok closer to the epicenter.
Posted by: Joe | May 17, 2009 at 09:11 PM
Felt it in Disneyland Grand Californian pretty hard
Posted by: Sam | May 17, 2009 at 09:11 PM
Felt the quake in Venice. This is the first time in my life and it scared me. I don't now where I should sleep tonight.
Posted by: Xin | May 17, 2009 at 09:11 PM
All of our family members were busy watching a movie at home, when we suddenly found the floor below us moving at an awkward speed. It lasted for about 40 seconds but in good force. No damages or injuries.
Posted by: Baishali | May 17, 2009 at 09:11 PM
Good jolt to begin and another 15 secs of shaking in Mar Vista. It didn't feel like a 5.0 though.
Posted by: Mike | May 17, 2009 at 09:11 PM
In Irvine we felt a strong jolt. It scared my kids who were almost asleep.
Posted by: Jill | May 17, 2009 at 09:11 PM
It was a little scary in Irvine. Seemed like maybe 10 seconds. Nothing damaged in the large university bldg. I was in.
Posted by: Ross | May 17, 2009 at 09:11 PM
We are at west LA= can felt it
Posted by: Jim | May 17, 2009 at 09:11 PM
Oh yeah it was a real shake, rattle and roll, in Redondo Beach
Posted by: Danielle | May 17, 2009 at 09:11 PM
Felt both quakes in La Crescenta on the second floor of our house; my husband was on the first floor and didn't notice anything.
Posted by: Nancy | May 17, 2009 at 09:11 PM