Magnitude 5.3 Earthquake Off California Coast Shakes Los Angeles

There have been no reports of damage or injuries so far.

Los Angeles
Getty

Image via Getty/DEA/W. BUSS

Los Angeles

A magnitude 5.3 earthquake hit Southern California on Thursday. It was strong enough that buildings in the Los Angeles area were reportedly shaking. The quake’s epicenter was in the Pacific Ocean, about 35 miles southeast of Channel Islands Beach, California, or 85 miles west of Los Angeles, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

The closest major city to the epicenter is Ventura, but according to Bloomberg, Ventura police have not received any immediate reports of injuries. Similarly, Los Angeles police also did not receive any reports of damage or injuries in the Los Angeles area.

In a tweet, the LAPD said they would "work with all our local partners to check infrastructure and critical locations."

Update: Southern California earthquake upgraded to magnitude 5.3; epicenter located 85 miles west of Los Angeles https://t.co/QBgW2RTPGG pic.twitter.com/POwvByUXDY
#LAPD: We are aware of the 5.0 #Earthquake centered near Channel Islands. We will work with all our local partners to check infrastructure and critical locations. Please keep 911 lines open for emergency related calls. Non-emergency? Call 877-Ask-LAPD

Many have taken to social media to report the experience, and, since there seems nothing major has happened as a result of the earthquake, many are taking the opportunity to get some jokes in as well.

Holy sh*t...

I just felt my first Earthquake. If you’re in the Greater Los Angeles area, be careful out there. 🚨
I survived the Los Angeles earthquake of April 5th, 2018. I will tell my children of this day.
THE Los Angeles EARTHQUAKE WAS A 5 BUT IN THE MIDWEST IT'D BE A 10 LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL

Today's earthquake is one of the strongest to hit the earthquake-prone region in recent years since the slightly bigger 5.2 quake in Borrego Springs in June 2016. That earthquake also did not cause major damage or injuries. With that said, the biggest quake in California in recent memory is the magnitude 6.0 earthquake that hit the Napa area in August of 2014. That quake killed one and injured 200 more. 

Latest in Life