Light shaking was felt in northeast Los Angeles and the San Gabriel Valley Thursday afternoon after a preliminary magnitude 2.9 earthquake struck near Pasadena.
The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake struck around 4:04 p.m., less than three miles southwest of Pasadena near Alhambra, at a depth of about 10.4 miles.
Sources told KTLA they experienced a shaking that rattled closet doors and could easily have been mistaken for a large truck or a heavy-footed neighbor.
If you felt the shaking from Thursday’s earthquake, you can file a “feel it” report with the USGS.
Click here for information on recent earthquakes in our area.
Thousands of earthquakes are recorded in California each year, but the majority are incredibly small. According to the USGS, only a few hundred specimens reach magnitude 3.0, and only about 15 to 20 reach magnitude 4.0 or higher.
In North America, only Alaska records more earthquakes per year than California.
What to do if an earthquake occurs
When an earthquake occurs, it is very important to know the proper steps to protect yourself and minimize injury. The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) provides detailed guidelines on what to do during such events. The key points are:
Drop, cover, and hold on:
Drop: Immediately drop to your hands and knees. This position prevents falls and allows you to stay low and crawl to safety if necessary.
Protect yourself: Use one arm to protect your head and neck and seek shelter under a sturdy table or desk if possible. If you don’t have a place to evacuate, get down next to an interior wall, away from windows. Get on your knees and lean forward to protect your vital organs.
Wait: Stay in your shelter until the shaking stops. If your shelter changes, be prepared to move with it.
