Sonali Tiwary
A magnitude 3.6 earthquake struck near Hermosa Beach in the South Bay area of Los Angeles on Saturday, with the epicentre located approximately six kilometres west-southwest of the city. The event was widely felt across the area and reported by multiple Los Angeles outlets.
What happened
The earthquake occurred on Saturday 27 September at approximately 15:40 UTC, according to the USGS earthquake catalogue. The epicentre was recorded around six kilometres west-southwest of Hermosa Beach at a depth of 11.9 kilometres, reviewed by a seismologist.
The magnitude was initially reported as 3.5 in some early breaking-news coverage. USGS subsequently updated the figure to 3.6. Any article written early in the news cycle should be checked against the latest USGS record, since preliminary magnitudes on small-to-moderate events can be revised within hours.
What a 3.6 earthquake typically produces
A magnitude 3.6 earthquake in this region is at the lower end of events that can be felt. No damage or injuries were immediately reported; small earthquakes can still cause localised effects depending on proximity and local geology.
No tsunami warning was issued for this event.
What to watch for
Aftershocks are possible; most are smaller than the mainshock. If damage reports emerge from the Hermosa Beach area or the USGS revises the magnitude further, this report will be updated. The USGS earthquake catalogue at earthquake.usgs.gov provides the authoritative live record for Southern California seismic activity.
For anyone following earthquake preparedness in Southern California, the Hermosa Beach event is one of many small events that occur regularly in the region.
