Magnitude 5.2 Earthquake Shakes Southern California
Earthquake Shakes Southern California, Centered Near Julian
Residents across Southern California were jolted Monday morning when a 5.2 magnitude earthquake struck just after 10 a.m., with the epicenter located near Julian, a small mountain town in San Diego County.
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) reported that the quake originated near Julian, a community of about 2,000 residents known for its apple pie, situated roughly 35 miles northeast of San Diego and about 120 miles south of Los Angeles.
While the tremor was strong enough to be widely felt—from San Diego to Los Angeles—officials said there was a low likelihood of serious damage or injuries. According to the USGS, most buildings in the region are built to withstand seismic activity. However, the agency noted that the area still faces risks such as landslides and liquefaction during earthquakes.
Local emergency services, including the San Diego County Sheriff's Department and local fire stations, reported no immediate damage or injuries. A firefighter at the Julian fire station confirmed there had been no emergency calls following the quake.
In San Diego, the quake caused light fixtures to sway and items to fall from shelves. Riley Ozuna, owner of Julian Cafe & Bakery, said a few cups fell during the shaking but added, “Everything is OK.”
California Governor Gavin Newsom shared on social media that he had been briefed and was in contact with local agencies to assess the situation and determine whether additional emergency response would be needed.
The earthquake also served as a real-world test of California’s ShakeAlert system, a warning network operated by the USGS. The system, which sends alerts via mobile apps, Android devices, and wireless emergency notifications, gave San Diego residents around 14 seconds of advance warning before the shaking began—enough time to drop, cover, and hold.
This was the second earthquake to strike the area within a short period. On Sunday around 4 p.m., a smaller 3.5 magnitude quake was recorded. Aftershocks followed Monday’s main event, including a 3.0 and a 2.5 magnitude tremor, both centered near Julian.
