A 5.2-magnitude earthquake shook Southern California, swaying lights and rattling cups off shelves. But officials reported no injuries or major damage.

The quake was centered in San Diego County near the mountain town of Julian, which is known for its apple pie shops, and was felt as far north as Los Angeles

A San Diego County firefighter who answered the phone at the Julian fire station said there were no reports of damage and no calls for service after what was a “good shaking.” The county police and sheriff’s departments also said they had received no immediate reports of damage or injuries.

    • comador @lemmy.worldEnglish
      9·
      9 days ago

      When an earthquake starts, it generates these seismic waves called primary high frequency waves or P-waves that travel super fast and secondary movement waves or S-waves that come with potential damage.

      Earthquake early warning systems work by detecting those initial P-waves and quickly estimate the earthquake’s location, magnitude, and intensity, sending alerts before the more destructive S-waves arrive at the surface.

      It’s those same P-waves, which we can hear as rumbles in the ground before the shakes start.

      • thefartographer@lemm.ee
        2·
        8 days ago

        I appreciate that explanation! I was just having fun with your choice of punctuation and attributing “a telltale sign of a coming earthquake” with the phone warning.

        I commented for the chuckle and got an interesting explanation instead!