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July 30, 2020

Magnitude 4.2 earthquake rattles Southern California – and its rich and famous

[USA TODAY]

Every year, there are about 500,000 earthquakes – 100,000 of which can be felt on the Earth’s surface. But how do earthquakes work? We explain.

At least two small temblors rocked an area near Los Angeles early Thursday, shaking residents out of their sleep but drawing no initial reports of damage or injury.

A preliminary 4.2 magnitude earthquake hit the Pacoima area at about 4:30 a.m., according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Pacoima, in the northern San Fernando Valley region, is about 20 miles northwest of downtown Los Angeles. The quake was downgraded from an initial estimate of 4.5.

The area was rolled by a magnitude 3.3 quake or aftershock about 10 minutes later, the USGS said.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office noted the quakes on Twitter, directing residents to its earthquake preparedness page. The rattling drew notice across social media despite the predawn hour.

“Definitely felt it in North Hollywood,” one tweet said. Another: “Yes, quite stronag up here in La Crescenta.”

Some of the rich and famous also took note. “Oh man!! Wow that felt much bigger than a 4.5 #earthquake,” tweeted Khloé Kardashian. “So scary! Sneakers and my flashlight by my bed.”

“That literally just scared me,” tweeted TV personality Karamo Brown. “My entire house was shaking and my dogs were howling before and while it was happening. I’m awake now! 2020 enough is enough!”

Social media star Kevin Langue tweeted that the “earthquake was so strong i woke up and my bed was in the yard.”

BY JOHN BACON

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