Quake strikes California

The strongest earthquake to strike a populated area of Southern California caused buildings to sway, but there were no reports of serious injuries.

The 5.4-magnitude quake – considered moderate – was felt from Los Angeles to San Diego, and as far east as Las Vegas, 230 miles away.

Last night’s quake was centred 29 miles southeast of Los Angeles near Chino Hills.

Buildings swayed in Los Angeles city centre for several seconds, leading to the evacuation of some offices.

“I’m still shaking. My knees are wobbling. I thought the building might collapse,” said Rosana Martinez, 50, an employee of California National Bank in Los Angeles.

As strong as it felt, the quake was far less powerful than the deadly magnitude-6.7 Northridge earthquake that toppled bridges and buildings on January 17 1994. That was the last damaging tremor in Southern California, though not the biggest. A 7.1 quake struck the desert in 1999.

“The most interesting thing to us about this earthquake so far is it is the first one we’ve had in a populated area for quite a long time and people have forgotten what earthquakes feel like,” said seismologist Kate Hutton at the US Geological Survey office in Pasadena.

“We should probably look at it as an earthquake drill. I mean it’s a drill for the Big One that will be coming some day.”

California’s Office of Emergency Services received scattered reports of minor infrastructure damage, including broken water mains and minor gas leaks in homes.

Minor structural damage was reported throughout Los Angeles, along with five minor injuries and people stuck in lifts, said city councillor Wendy Greuel, serving as acting mayor. She said there was flooding in one department store.