SAN DIEGO, CA — A magnitude 5.2 earthquake rattled Southern California late Monday morning, briefly alarming residents across the region but causing no reported injuries or major structural damage.
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) said the temblor struck at 10:08 a.m. and was centered near Julian, a mountain community in eastern San Diego County. The quake, which originated at a depth of approximately 8.3 miles, was initially recorded as a 6.0 magnitude before being downgraded to 5.1, then adjusted to 5.2.
The shaking was felt across a wide swath of Southern California, with reports coming in from Los Angeles, Orange, and Riverside counties. Several communities within San Diego County experienced noticeable tremors, including Escondido, San Diego Country Estates, and Pine Valley.
Widespread Alerts and Immediate Aftershocks
Shortly after the quake, the state’s ShakeAlert system issued emergency notifications to mobile phones across the region, urging residents to “drop, cover, and hold on.” At least six smaller aftershocks were recorded within ten minutes of the main event, all registering below magnitude 3.0. In addition, a separate 3.5 magnitude quake was reported near Borrego Springs.
Officials Assessing Impact
San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria addressed the public on social media, stating that there were no initial reports of visible or significant damage within city limits. “San Diego experienced a strong earthquake centered near Julian,” Gloria said. “There’s no known visible or major damage to the city so far, and I’m in communication with local, state, and federal officials.”
The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services also confirmed that Governor Gavin Newsom had been briefed on the situation. “The state is coordinating with local authorities to assess any damage and determine if emergency response is needed,” the office said in a statement.
Minor Disruptions Reported
Though no serious damage was reported, the earthquake did cause some brief disruptions. Caltrans warned drivers to be cautious on State Route 76, where falling rocks were reported near Lake Henshaw. Crews were dispatched to inspect the area for road hazards and structural impacts.
The San Diego County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that it had received no reports of injuries or major damage.
Seismologist: Unlikely to Cause Serious Damage
Renowned Southern California seismologist Dr. Lucy Jones said the quake was felt across a broad area due to its magnitude and relatively shallow depth but emphasized that it was unlikely to cause serious structural harm.
“There shouldn’t be structural damage,” she said. “If there is, it’s in a pretty bad building.” Jones noted that while the quake might have knocked some items off shelves, California’s building codes are designed to withstand such seismic activity.
Residents React to Sudden Shaking
In San Diego’s East County, one resident said her mother was inside a Home Depot when the quake hit, prompting customers to run outside. In Vista, another resident described the sensation as a “bomb going off.”
Despite the intensity of the shaking, experts and emergency officials stressed that the region had, once again, avoided a worst-case scenario.