Additional Coverage:
San Diego Shaken by 5.2 Earthquake
A 5.2 magnitude earthquake struck near Julian, California, at 1:08 p.m. local time on Monday, sending tremors throughout San Diego and the surrounding areas. The epicenter was located in the Cuyamaca Mountains, approximately an hour northeast of San Diego.
While the quake prompted emergency alerts urging residents as far away as Los Angeles to “drop, cover, and hold on,” initial reports indicate minimal impact. The San Diego Sheriff’s Department and city officials confirmed no immediate reports of injuries or significant structural damage. Governor Gavin Newsom’s office acknowledged awareness of the situation shortly after the initial tremor.
The US Geological Survey (USGS) reported several smaller aftershocks in the region following the main quake. The National Weather Service confirmed there was no tsunami threat.
San Diego resident Kevin Manaugh described the experience as the “worst quake” he’d ever felt. While his home was undamaged, the shaking prompted him to consider assembling an emergency preparedness kit. He credited the early warning system, which gave him approximately 15 seconds notice, for allowing him to take cover.
The USGS ShakeAlert system utilizes a network of sensors to rapidly detect and analyze seismic activity. This data is then used to estimate the quake’s magnitude and distribute alerts through various channels, including Google and dedicated earthquake apps.
For larger earthquakes, like Monday’s event, wireless emergency alerts are automatically issued to a wider geographic area. Even Robert de Groot, a team lead for the ShakeAlert system, received the alert and took cover in his Pasadena home, 130 miles from the epicenter.