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| Quake rocks southern California | Quake rocks southern California |
| (about 9 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 was 29 miles (46km) south-east of central Los Angeles, near Chino Hills in San Bernardino County, officials said. | The epicentre 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 but there were no reports of any serious casualties or damage. | The quake was felt as far south as San Diego but there were no reports of any serious casualties or damage. |
| Offices and restaurants were evacuated, and residents reported cracks in the walls of their homes. | Offices and restaurants were evacuated, and residents reported cracks in the walls of their homes. |
| 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. |
| California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger said the region had been lucky to avoid a major disaster. | California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger said the region had been lucky to avoid a major disaster. |
| "This reminds us once again that in California we have to be prepared for anything and everything," he said. | "This reminds us once again that in California we have to be prepared for anything and everything," he said. |
| 'A drill' | 'A drill' |
| 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. |
| "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. | 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. |
| 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. |