Earthquake hits Los Angeles after Oscars

Just after the conclusion of the Academy Awards ceremony Sunday night, Hollywood shook. An earthquake beneath Burbank was felt across Greater Los Angeles.

According to the United States Geological Service, the magnitude-3.9 quake was centered about 9.5 miles below Magnolia Park, near the border between Burbank and North Hollywood.

Near the epicenter, tremors reached Intensity IV on the Modified Mercali scale, which measures vibration at the surface. MMI-II shakes were felt as far away as Long Beach, Malibu and Sylmar.

Earthquakes of intensity IV are capable of producing a sensation like a heavy truck striking a building, but are not likely to cause serious damage to structures, according to the USGS.

The L.A. Fire Department said on X that the earthquake was felt in downtown L.A. However, the department did not commence its earthquake response protocol.

“After the event we go into an earthquake mode that’s Area C-wide,” said Batallion Chief Jim Moye of the Burbank Fire Department, referring to a disaster management area which encompasses Burbank, Glendale and several nearby communities. “We surveyed the area and found no damage. Normal operations have resumed” Moye continued.

The earthquake comes on the heels of a series of quakes which shook Southern California last year. In August, Pasadena was struck by a magnitude-4.4 earthquake. Another one hit Malibu a month later, at magnitude 4.7.

The heaviest blast to affect L.A. in recent decades was the Magnitude-6.7 1994 Northridge Earthquake. 57 people were killed, 9,000 injured, and several buildings destroyed.

Experts say another large earthquake is overwhelmingly likely to affect the region within decades. As such, area residents are recommended to prepare an emergency kit and make plans with neighbours and loved ones for the event of a disaster.