Kinsey Crowley – USA TODAY
An earthquake with a 5.2 preliminary magnitude was reported near Julian, California on April 14, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
Several aftershocks of lesser magnitudes were also recorded in the area located roughly 60 miles northeast of San Diego, starting shortly after 10 a.m. local time.
USGS data shows there was also a 3.3 magnitude earthquake near Julian on April 13, the day prior.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom has been briefed on Monday’s earthquake, according to an X post from his office.
“The state is coordinating with local authorities to assess any damage and if emergency response is needed,” the post states.
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A tsunami is not expected, the National Weather Service San Diego office stated, noting that its forecasters felt the shakes.
“Don’t forget to drop, cover and hold on when shaking starts,” the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services said on X.
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The temblor was centered three miles south of Julian and 17 miles east of Ramona and was felt across the region. There were no immediate reports of major damage or injuries but some residents reported feeling a strong jolt. San Diego County firefighter Jarrett Ross, who was working at the agency’s Julian station Monday morning, said they all definitely felt the quake but said it was “nothing too crazy.”
He said the station hasn’t gotten any calls for injuries or damage since the earthquake.
“It was just a long one, probably five seconds long or so,” Ross said. He said nothing fell or became dislodged in the station due to the quake.
Some people on social media told the U.S. Geological Survey that they got an earthquake early warning — fueled by the ShakeAlert system — on their cellphones.
“That was awesome! GREAT EARLY WARNING!!!” a resident told the USGS’ ShakeAlert social media account on X. “I got the alert on my phone near downtown San Diego several seconds before the primary [shaking] wave hit. WELL DONE!”
The strongest shaking was in sparsely populated areas, considered “strong” on the Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale. That’s enough to be frightening and move furniture but generally causes only slight damage.
In more heavily populated areas closer to the San Diego County coast, the U.S. Geological Survey said “light” shaking was likely, capable of rattling dishes and feeling like a heavy truck has struck a building.
The quake struck at 10:08 a.m. near Julian, an old mining town in the Cuyamaca Mountains that is about 138 miles southeast of Los Angeles.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the quake was felt well into Los Angeles County and south to the Mexican border.
It was followed by several aftershocks in the surrounding area, which is sparsely populated.