San Diego just got rocked by a 5.2 magnitude quake.

Los Angeles —

A 5.2 magnitude earthquake struck Southern California Monday morning, according to preliminary reports.

The quake was recorded at 10:08 a.m. PT near Julian, California, by the Seismological Laboratory at the California Institute of Technology. It followed a 3.3 magnitude foreshock that occurred just before 4 p.m. Sunday.

Dr. Lucile Jones, a Caltech seismologist, said the earthquake appears to be linked to the Elsinore fault line and occurred at a depth of approximately 13 kilometers (8 miles) beneath the surface.

Tremors were felt across a broad swath of the state, stretching from San Diego to Los Angeles. According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), residents near the epicenter experienced “moderate shaking,” while over 25 million people reported “weak to light shaking.”

California Governor Gavin Newsom has been briefed and his office confirmed that the state is working with local agencies to assess any damage and determine if emergency assistance is required.

Jones noted that while it’s unclear if this event signals a larger quake to come, “Every earthquake could be a foreshock to something bigger,” she said. There is generally a 5% chance of a stronger quake following any given seismic event.

Southern California Shaken by 5.2 Magnitude Earthquake

Epicenter near Julian, tremors felt from San Diego to Los Angeles

By Gabrielle Canon and agencies

Monday, April 14, 2025 – 19:16 BST

A 5.2 magnitude earthquake struck Southern California on Monday morning, sending alerts across the region and shaking communities around San Diego shortly after 10 a.m. local time.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the quake’s epicenter was located near Julian, a small mountain town in San Diego County known for its apple pie and historic charm. Home to roughly 2,000 residents, Julian sits about 35 miles northeast of San Diego and 120 miles south of Los Angeles.

The quake originated 8.3 miles (13.4 km) beneath the surface along the Elsinore fault zone, one of the most active seismic regions in California and part of the larger San Andreas fault system. It followed a smaller 3.5 magnitude foreshock recorded around 4 p.m. on Sunday. Seismologist Lucy Jones confirmed the earlier tremor was indeed a foreshock to Monday’s larger quake.

Despite the strength of the quake, there were no immediate reports of injuries or significant damage. Local law enforcement and emergency services—including San Diego County police and fire departments—confirmed that they had not received calls for assistance.

The USGS noted that the region is largely built with earthquake-resistant infrastructure, though it remains susceptible to secondary hazards such as landslides and soil liquefaction.

California Governor Gavin Newsom acknowledged the earthquake on social media, confirming he had been briefed and that state officials were coordinating with local responders to assess damage and determine whether additional emergency resources were needed.

The event also activated California’s “ShakeAlert” system, which provides advance warning through mobile apps and emergency alerts. In San Diego, residents received a 14-second heads-up before the shaking began—enough time to drop, cover, and hold.

In Julian, local businesses and residents described minor disturbances. Riley Ozuna, owner of Julian Café & Bakery, reported that a few cups had fallen, but no major issues occurred. “Everything is OK,” she said.

Paul Nelson, who runs the historic Eagle Mining Co. in Julian, said picture frames were knocked over in the gift shop, but the old goldmine tunnels—now a tourist attraction—remained undamaged. “I thought the single-pane windows were going to crack because they were shaking pretty good, but they didn’t,” he said.

Schools in the area briefly evacuated students as a safety measure. Capt. Thomas Shoots of Cal Fire San Diego received the shake alert just moments before the tremors began. “There was a lot of shaking and rattling around,” he said. “But thankfully everything seems to be back to normal.”