Large Quake Near Mammoth Rattles LA Area

LOS ANGELES, CA — A large earthquake near Mammoth Wednesday morning sent shockwaves down through Los Angeles. Southland residents felt light shaking Wednesday thanks to an 5.8-magnitude earthquake that rattled the Lone Pine area in Inyo County.

The temblor, struck at about 10:40 a.m., and residents in the San Fernando Valley, West Los Angeles and even as far south as Orange County reported light shaking.

There were no immediate reports of any local damages or injuries.

Seismologist Lucy Jones said the Wednesday morning quake in the Owens Valley came two days after a magnitude-4.6 shaker in the same area. Seismologists have been paying close attention to the Owens Valley fault over the last year since the magnitude 7.1 Ridgecrest quake and its thousands of aftershocks hit.

The fault responsible for the Ridgecrest quakes began extending toward the Owens Valley fault line, raising concerns that the Owens Valley fault could be triggered. The Owens Valley fault, in the Mammoth area, is responsible for one of the largest California quakes on record and is capable producing major temblors.

SEE ALSO:

• 5 Things Most People Don't Know About Earthquakes
• 4.5 Magnitude Quake Hits Southern California

City News Service contributed to this report.