After the 5.5 quake in Chino Hills in 2008, another significant event occurred at 4.4 at 6:25am on Monday March 17, in Encino. The USGeological Survey (USGS) reported that the earthquake was centered 15 miles (24 kilometers) west-northwest of downtown Los Angeles, at a depth of about 5 miles, while seven smaller aftershocks were recorded, with two reaching a magnitude of 2.5 or greater.
Southern California's landscape has been marked by major faults - such as the San Andreas and San Fernando - but Monday's tremblor came from a fault under the Santa Monica mountains, where little attention was given, caughting seismologists by surprise. According to Caltech seismologist Egill Hauksson, this was the strongest earthquake to hit directly under the Santa Monica Mountains in the 80 years, since earthquakes began to be monitored in Southern California. In the particular area seismographs have recorded minor 1 - 3 magnitude shakes.
Egill Hauksson explained that, compared to Northridge earthquake, Monday's event was about 900 times weaker, but was felt as far as the Los Angeles basin, San Fernando and San Gabriel valleys, where the shaking was actually more intense. This happens because earthquake waves "bounce back and forth" within the soft soil filled basin and valleys, "so you get this bowl of Jello effect".
Sources: LAtimes, The Independent
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