4.1-magnitude quake rings in 2024 for Los Angeles area, seismologists say

Don Sweeney
·2 min read
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A 4.1-magnitude earthquake shook the Los Angeles area in California on the morning of New Year’s Day, the U.S. Geological Survey reported.

The 7-mile deep quake struck in the Pacific Ocean 12 miles south of Rancho Palos Verdes at 8:27 a.m. Monday, Jan. 1,, according to the USGS.

More than 4,000 people from as far away as Lompoc and Camarillo reported feeling the tremor, the USGS said.

“Earthquake in Los Angeles! Anyone else feel it?” read one post on X, formerly known as Twitter.

“Scared me!!” read another post.

“Well that was quite the way to start the year!!!” another person wrote on X.

The Southern California quake is “completely unrelated” to the 7.5-magnitude earthquake earlier in the day in Japan, seismologist Lucy Jones said on X.

The California quake, which was not along any known fault, was 100,000 less powerful than the one in Japan, Jones said.

What to know about earthquakes

Magnitude measures the energy released at the source of the earthquake, the U.S. Geological Survey says. It replaces the old Richter scale.

Quakes between 2.5 and 5.4 magnitude are often felt but rarely cause much damage, according to Michigan Tech. Quakes below 2.5 magnitude are seldom felt by most people.

Earthquakes’ sudden, rapid shaking can cause fires, tsunamis, landslides or avalanches. They can happen anywhere, but they’re most common in Alaska, California, Hawaii, Oregon, Puerto Rico and Washington, according to the Department of Homeland Security.

If an earthquake strikes, it’s best to protect yourself right away. Here are tips from experts:

  • If you’re in a car: Pull over and stop. Set your parking brake.

  • If you’re in bed: Turn face-down and cover your head with a pillow.

  • If you’re outdoors: Stay away from buildings. Don’t go inside.

  • If you’re inside: Stay and don’t run outdoors. Stay away from doorways.

The best way to protect yourself during an earthquake is to drop, cover and hold on, officials say.

“Wherever you are, drop down to your hands and knees and hold onto something sturdy,” officials say. “If you’re using a wheelchair or walker with a seat, make sure your wheels are locked and remain seated until the shaking stops.”

Be sure to cover your head and neck with your arms, and crawl under a sturdy table if possible. If no shelter is available, crawl to an interior wall away from windows.

Once under a table, officials say you should hold on with one hand and be ready to move with it.

“There can be serious hazards after an earthquake, such as damage to the building, leaking gas and water lines, or downed power lines,” officials say. “Expect aftershocks to follow the main shock of an earthquake. Be ready to Drop, Cover, and Hold On if you feel an aftershock.”

How are earthquakes triggered and how are their magnitudes measured? What to know