A 4.2-magnitude earthquake shook the Malibu area, followed by numerous aftershocks

LOS ANGELES COUNTY, California. – A preliminary earthquake measuring 4.2 hit off the coast of Malibu early Wednesday morning, followed by multiple aftershocks.

The first quake struck at 2 a.m. about 10 miles south of Malibu Beach and 15 miles southwest of Santa Monica, according to the US Geological Survey. According to the US Geological Survey, it is about 9.2 miles deep.

Just seconds after the first shock, a second quake was reported – a 3.5 magnitude preliminary quake, also 10 miles south of Malibu Beach. The second quake was about 8 miles deep, according to the US Geological Survey.

Approximately 22 minutes after the initial quake, the USGS reported an aftershock of magnitude 2.8 at the same location. The depth of the second aftershock was just over six miles.

A third aftershock of magnitude 2.6 hit the same area at 2:38 a.m., according to the US Geological Survey.

Despite the impact at sea, the National Weather Service said there was no tsunami threat.

“LAFD is currently in earthquake mode. All 106 local fire stations will conduct a strategic survey of their neighborhoods, looking at all major problem areas (transport infrastructure, crowded areas, apartment buildings, power lines, etc.). This survey will be carried out from land, air and sea. As soon as this process is completed and the reports are combined, provided there is no significant damage, the earthquake regime will be terminated. This process typically takes less than one hour,” Nicholas Prange of Los Angeles said in a fire department announcement around 2:30 am Wednesday.

Shortly before 9 am, the agency announced that the survey had been completed.

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There were no immediate reports of damage or injury. While there are many variables involved, geologists say damage usually doesn’t occur until an earthquake hits somewhere above magnitude 4 or 5.

Malibu city officials said motorists should use extreme caution on Malibu Canyon Road, Kanan Dume Road and other canyons as rocks could continue to fall from recent storms.

CONNECTED: Surviving an Earthquake: Prepare, Survive, Recover

The USGS provides statewide earthquake and preparedness information, including useful information for Californians.

CONNECTED: Quakes force Californians to brace for next big shock

The series of earthquakes was felt from the Westside of Los Angeles to the San Gabriel Valley.

Wednesday morning’s quake came on the five-year anniversary of the magnitude 4.0 quake, which struck around the same time – just after 2 a.m. – near Trabuco Canyon on January 25, 2018.

The USGS is asking everyone who felt the tremors to submit a brief report. You can click here for more information.