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Quake rocks southern California | Quake rocks southern California |
(about 3 hours later) | |
An earthquake measuring 5.4 has caused buildings to shake across a wide area of southern California in the US. | An earthquake measuring 5.4 has caused buildings to shake across a wide area of southern California in the US. |
The epicentre of the quake was 29 miles (46km) south-east of central Los Angeles, near Chino Hills in San Bernardino County, officials said. | The epicentre of the quake was 29 miles (46km) south-east of central Los Angeles, near Chino Hills in San Bernardino County, officials said. |
The quake was felt as far south as San Diego, witnesses say, but so far there are no reports of casualties or damage. | The quake was felt as far south as San Diego, witnesses say, but so far there are no reports of casualties or damage. |
The US Geological Survey initially said the tremor measured up to 5.8, but later downgraded its size. | The US Geological Survey initially said the tremor measured up to 5.8, but later downgraded its size. |
The BBC's Peter Bowes in Los Angeles said the quake initially felt like a rolling motion - followed by a sudden shaking sensation that lasted about 10 seconds. | The BBC's Peter Bowes in Los Angeles said the quake initially felt like a rolling motion - followed by a sudden shaking sensation that lasted about 10 seconds. |
Pictures fell to the ground and some people reported cracks in the walls of their homes. | Pictures fell to the ground and some people reported cracks in the walls of their homes. |
"It was dramatic. The whole building moved," said Los Angeles County sheriff's spokesman Steve Whitmore, who was in the sheriff's Monterey Park offices east of Los Angeles. | "It was dramatic. The whole building moved," said Los Angeles County sheriff's spokesman Steve Whitmore, who was in the sheriff's Monterey Park offices east of Los Angeles. |
Many other buildings swayed across central Los Angeles and office workers quickly poured out onto the streets. | Many other buildings swayed across central Los Angeles and office workers quickly poured out onto the streets. |
"We had forgotten what a big earthquake felt like, at least I did," said seismologist Kate Hutton. | "We had forgotten what a big earthquake felt like, at least I did," said seismologist Kate Hutton. |
"It's a drill for the big one that's going to happen someday." | "It's a drill for the big one that's going to happen someday." |
There have been no reports of power cuts in the area, although telephone services were disrupted because of a surge in demand on the network, witnesses reported. | There have been no reports of power cuts in the area, although telephone services were disrupted because of a surge in demand on the network, witnesses reported. |
More than 20 aftershocks were reported following the quake, the strongest measured at 3.8. | More than 20 aftershocks were reported following the quake, the strongest measured at 3.8. |
In 1994, a 6.7 magnitude earthquake in Northridge, California, killed 72 people, injured another 9,000 and caused $25bn (£12.5bn) worth of damage in the area. | In 1994, a 6.7 magnitude earthquake in Northridge, California, killed 72 people, injured another 9,000 and caused $25bn (£12.5bn) worth of damage in the area. |
Are you in the affected area? Send your comments and experience using the form below: | Are you in the affected area? Send your comments and experience using the form below: |
Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk, text them to +44 7725 100 100 or you have a large file you can upload here. Read the terms and conditions | Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk, text them to +44 7725 100 100 or you have a large file you can upload here. Read the terms and conditions |
At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. | At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. |